Stocks fell for a second day on Wednesday as investors contemplated a world without monetary stimulus and a poorly received bond auction in Spain suggested the effect of European funding operations was waning.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 124.72 points, or 0.94 percent, at 13,074.83. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 14.42 points, or 1.02 percent, at 1,398.96. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 45.48 points, or 1.46 percent, at 3,068.09.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica; Editing by Padraic Cassidy)