Blue-chip stocks declined on Tuesday as oil rose to another record and underscored concerns about inflation, while the Federal Reserve chairman said financial markets are still troubled.

By Caroline Valetkevitch

The Dow Jones industrial average ended lower on Tuesday, after Hewlett-Packard Co. agreed to buy technology services provider Electronic Data Systems Corp. for $13.2 billion and investors mulled a report on retail sales.

Diversified financial-services companies' shares dropped on Tuesday as oil prices jumped to a new record near $127 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, and retail sales and business inventory data failed to appease investors' concerns.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. says the Securities and Exchange Commission may bring civil charges against the bank related to the bidding of instruments tied to municipal bonds.

Shares of Hewlett-Packard Co. took the largest midday loss on the Dow Jones industrial average Tuesday after the computer and printer maker agreed to buy technology services provider Electronic Data Systems Corp.

Diversified financial-services companies' shares pulled back Tuesday morning after the Commerce Department said retail sales fell in April and business inventories increased by the smallest amount in a year, two signs of a weakening economy.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the credit crisis is not over, even as his colleagues revealed growing concerns about inflation that could signal a pause in interest rate cuts.

JPMorgan, acquiring rival investment bank Bear Stearns amid one of the worst market slumps ever, so far has extended jobs to about 6,000 out of Bear's nearly 14,000 employees, a person familiar with the situation said on Monday.

JPMorgan Chase & Co <JPM.N> said on Monday that it received a notice from federal regulators indicating that one of its units may face an enforcement action related to "the bidding of various financial instruments associated with municipal securities."

NEW YORK (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co <JPM.N> said on Monday that it received a notice from federal regulators indicating that one of its units may face an enforcement action related to "the bidding of various financial instruments associated with municipal securities."

JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s chief executive said Monday that while the crisis in the credit markets appears to be three-quarters over, he believes a U.S. recession is just beginning.

JPMorgan Chase Chairman and Chief Executive Jamie Dimon Monday told bank investors that while the current credit market crunch may soon be over, the U.S. economy could still face a deep and extended recession

JPMorgan Chase & Co <JPM.N> Chairman and Chief Executive Jamie Dimon on Monday told bank investors that while the current credit market crunch may soon be over, the U.S. economy could still face a deep and extended recession.

By Joseph A. Giannone