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NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks were under pressure Friday after disappointing economic data from China and the U.S. heightened fears about a global slowdown.
"Most of what we've seen in the recent rally is the idea that things will not deteriorate as badly as many had feared," said Bruce McCain, chief investment strategist at Key Private Bank. "These numbers throw cold water on some of the enthusiasm."
The Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq all edged lower in early trading.
Chinese exports, which had been gaining strength for the past few months, rose just 1% from a year earlier in July, which was well below expectations and down from the 11.3% pace of increase in June. The 4.7% uptick in Chinese imports also fell short of forecasts.
Loan growth was also disappointing and added to recent concerns about the strength of China's economy.
"Any number that is disappointing runs the risk of raising worries again if you don't get actual intervention," McCain said. "Investors are at the point where they want to see some real action or they'll begin to lose some of the enthusiasm they felt."
On the domestic front, investors digested a report that showed falling U.S. import and export prices.
Meanwhile, the drought continues to push up prices for corn and soybeans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Friday that 2012-2013 corn yields will hit the lowest level since 1995-1996.
The report sparks concern that corn prices, which have risen more than 60% over the last seven weeks, will continue to spike.
And in Europe, worries about the possible need for a Spanish bailout continue, given that the nation's borrowing costs remain high. Spain's 10-year bond yield is hovering just below 7%.
All three major indexes are on track to end the week with modest gains. The Dow and S&P 500 are up more than 0.5%, while the Nasdaq is on pace for a 1.7% increase.
World markets: European stocks were lower in afternoon trading. Britain's FTSE 100 slipped 0.2%, France's CAC 40 declined 0.5%, and the DAX in Germany lost 0.7%.
Asian markets ended in the red. The Shanghai Composite shed 0.2%, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.7% and Japan's Nikkei slid 1%.
Economy: Export prices fell 0.3% in July, while import prices declined 0.4%, according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Import prices have been declining since April, and export prices have been falling since May.
A 2 p.m. ET, the Treasury budget report will give a snapshot of the nation's finances. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com expect it to show a deficit of $71 billion in July, higher than the $60 billion deficit in June.
Companies: Shares of J.C. Penney (JCP, Fortune 500) rallied Friday despite the department store chain posting a second-quarter loss of $147 million, or 67 cents per share. Analysts were expecting a loss of just 25 cents per share. J.C. Penney also withdrew its guidance for the year.
Yahoo's (YHOO, Fortune 500) stock was sharply lower after the Web portal company -- in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission -- said new CEO Marissa Mayer is reviewing business strategy.
The review could lead to changes in the restructuring plan the company has already started to implement, as well as the previously announced plan to return to shareholder the cash it generated from a deal to sell its stake in the Chinese internet company Alibaba.
British soccer team Manchester United (MANU) began trading on the New York Stock Exchange Friday. The team priced shares of its initial public offering at $14 Thursday night, below its targeted range. Shares were up slightly in early trading.
Currencies and commodities: The fell against the euro, British pound and the Japanese yen.
Oil for September delivery fell 55 cents to $92.81a barrel.
Gold futures for December delivery rose $7.80 to $1,628 an ounce.
Bonds: The price on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury rose, pushing the yield down to 1.64% from 1.69% late Thursday.
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