Global stocks dip on 'cliff' overhang

US stocks fell today as another slide in Apple took a toll and investors unloaded some shares because of the uncertainty surrounding the "fiscal cliff" negotiations.

The Dow Jones industrial average slipped 35.71 points, or 0.27 percent, to 13,135.01 at the close. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 5.87 points, or 0.41 percent, to 1,413.58. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 20.83 points, or 0.70 percent, to close at 2,971.33.

For the week, the Dow slipped 0.2 percent, while the S&P 500 fell 0.3 percent and the Nasdaq declined 0.2 percent.

European shares slipped as investors banked profits after a recent strong run, and some said it was vulnerable to a deeper correction the longer US budget talks remain at an impasse.

The FTSEurofirst 300 closed down 0.1 percent at 1,133.36, having dipped 0.4 percent in the previous session following a powerful three-week rally which propelled the index to 18-month highs.