Stocks fell further on Thursday after data showed a slower-than-expected rate of manufacturing growth and a sharp drop in pending home sales.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> slumped 72.02 points, or 0.74 percent, to 9,702.00. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> lost 8.83 points, or 0.86 percent, to 1,021.88. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> shed 19.34 points, or 0.92 percent, to 2,089.90.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)