Blue-Chip stocks were lower in late afternoon trading yesterday, as the chronic malaise over corporate-earnings growth and unease over the lack of a new US president continued to weigh on the market.

Earlier, stocks jumped as investors reacted to the latest twists and turns in the 10-day saga of the post-election presidential contest. The market was very volatile with the Dow off as much as 84 points after rallying nearly 107 points. The technology-packed Nasdaq composite fell below the key 3,000 level for the second times this week. "We are going to have a roller-coaster market until we get resolution of the election. The market will continue to trade back and forth based on the latest press conference," said Joseph DeMarco, managing director of equity trading at HSBC Asset Management Americas, with $5 billion under management.