The Nasdaq composite closed below its 50-day moving average, and the S&P 500 marked its first distribution day since the Aug. 13 follow-through day. Declining stocks beat advancers by more than 2 to 1 on the Nasdaq. The ratio was less than 2 to 1 negative on the NYSE. Palantir is pulling back in light volume after an earnings rally; TransDigm is back near highs in a shallow cup base; investment bank Evercore is holding gains well after a recent breakout.