Stocks fall on worries about virus’ spread, but pare losses

Stocks are falling Monday as a new, potentially more infectious strain of the coronavirus has countries around the world restricting travel from the United Kingdom, raising worries that the economy is about to take even worse punishment

NEW YORK — Stocks are falling Monday as a new, potentially more infectious strain of the coronavirus has countries around the world restricting travel from the United Kingdom, raising worries that the economy is about to take even worse punishment.

The S&P 500 was 0.3% lower in afternoon trading, on pace for a second straight drop after setting a record on Thursday. But the index pared its loss as the day progressed, recovering from an earlier 2% drop.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 56 points, or 0.2%, at 30,236, as of 2:17 p.m. Eastern time, after erasing an earlier 423 point loss. The Nasdaq…