Stocks fell on Thursday as signs of weakness in housing and investors' worries that authorities might be curbing stimulus efforts too soon sparked caution.

According to the latest available figures, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 41.11 points, or 0.42 percent, at 9,707.44. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> fell 10.09 points, or 0.95 percent, at 1,050.78. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> shed 23.81 points, or 1.12 percent, at 2,107.61.

(Reporting by Angela Moon, Editing by)