US stocks fell today as strong profit reports from banks failed to impress investors who have driven the market to record highs in recent weeks.

At the close of trading on Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 22.16 at 11,187.68. But with the Dow, the Standard and Poor's 500 and the Nasdaq composite index within close range of the new records each set last Friday, analysts said today's drop was merely the result of minor selling by investors hoping to lock in profits.

The S&P 500 fell 11.12 to 1,407.66. The Nasdaq composite fell 34.10 to 2,830.38. Decliners outnumbered advancers by a 13-to-9 margin on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1,743 down, 1,203 up and 592 unchanged.