A downward revision of US economic growth in the third quarter sent stocks lower yesterday.

The Commerce Department reported that the US economy grew at a 2 percent annual rate from July through September, down from its initial estimate of 2.5 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 53.59 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 11,493.72. The Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 4.94 points, or 0.4 percent, to 1,188.04. The Nasdaq composite fell 1.86, or 0.1 percent, to 2,521.28.

Investors are also worried that Spain could become the next country to need financial support.

Some Fed officials wanted to take new steps to bolster the US economy at their meeting three weeks ago, but agreed to hold off until the outlook becomes clearer.

“A few members indicated that they believed the economic outlook might warrant additional policy accommodation,” said minutes of the Fed’s policy-setting meeting on Nov. 1-2, released yesterday.