Shares of U.S. energy companies dropped sharply in early afternoon trade, following a nearly 3% decline in oil prices. It was not immediately clear what prompted a slide in oil futures. April West Texas Intermediate crude , which was only slightly lower in early trade, was trading down $1.81, or 2.9% to $60.77 a barrel. The Energy Select SPDR Fund was down 1.6%. Losses in the energy sector dragged down the broader markets, which were already suffering losses. Shares of ExxonMobil fell 3%, making it the worst performer on the Dow. The S&P 500 fell 22 points, or 0.8%, to 2,706.
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