Energy Rally Takes a Break

Updated from 11:48 a.m.

Crude oil prices closed lower Tuesday after hitting record highs in the previous four sessions.

The benchmark U.S. crude fell $1.13, or 2.8%, to settle at $40.42 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, having flirted with $42 Monday, following an explosion that killed the head of Iraq's governing council.

Gasoline futures also lost ground Tuesday, dropping almost 4 cents a gallon, or 2.7%, to $1.38, after setting a new high yesterday. ...