U.S. stocks extended losses on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq down more than 1 percent, after data showed the services sector contracted more than expected in July, overshadowing a bigger than expected rise in factory orders.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 76.93 points, or 0.83 percent, to 9,243.26. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dropped 7.70 points, or 0.77 percent, to 997.95. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 21.33 points, or 1.06 percent, to 1,989.98.

(Editing by Padraic Cassidy)