Wall Street stocks fell for a third session yesterday as a sharp drop in oil prices helped consumer-facing stocks but hurt commodity-related sectors.

Energy and material stocks were the worst performers, hit by the pull-back in oil and other commodity prices. ExxonMobil , the oil producer, dropped 3.9 per cent to $76.60 and Schlumberger , the oil services company, dipped 5.8 per cent to $94.41. The sector gave up 4.9 per cent and has now lost more than 20 per cent from its recent highs.