More than 84 per cent of the firms in the S&P 500 that have reported earnings topped expectations. (AP PHOTO)More than 84 per cent of the firms in the S&P 500 that have reported earnings topped expectations. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAPUS stocks have finished the trading session lower, pausing after a strong start to the week, as investors digested the latest round of corporate earnings and looked for signs of progress toward a peace deal between the US and Iran. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.57-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.38-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 29 new 52-week highs and four new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 131 new highs and 82 new lows.