North American stocks retreated today amid continuing fear over a pending interest rate hike and a drop in energy prices. In Toronto, stocks slumped for a third straight session, closing at a 4-1/2 month low.

The S&P/TSX composite index sank 145.30 points, or 1.76%, its lowest finish since Dec. 24. 2003. It was also the index’s second consecutive triple-digit decline.

All of the TSX’s 10 subgroups finished lower with more than 3% declines in the energy, telecoms and health-care groups.

The energy sector fell 3.73% after world oil prices slipped from their 13-year peak of $40 a barrel. Leading OPEC producer, Saudi Arabia, called on the oil cartel to raise supply limits by at least 1.5 million barrels a day.

The technology sector fell 2.09% while financials, industrials and utilities all dipped more than 1%.

The materials sector was hurt the least. It fell 0.25% due to support from its gold sub-sector, which rose 1.6%.

In the U.S. stocks fell for the third straight session, pushing the Dow Jones industrial average below the 10,000 level for the first time since last December.

The Dow fell 127.32 points, or 1.26%, to 9,990.02. The S&P 500 Index fell 11.59 points, or 1.05%, to 1,087.11, its lowest level in nearly five months.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index slid 21.89 points, or 1.14%, to 1,896.07, its lowest close since Nov. 21, 2003.