His shares fell on heavy volume, and he suspected that profit takers were swarming.
Technology issues, which were strong early, came under pressure from profit takers later.
Energy prices retreated as profit takers took advantage of the recent oil rally.
Safeway supermarket group Argyll suffered at the hands of profit takers despite impressive full-year results and a confident prediction it can push profits ahead.
Profit Taking Intervened The index moved tantalizingly close to 2,000 late yesterday, peaking at 1,998.45 in the final hour before profit takers prevented the long-awaited breakthrough.
The Dow closed at a record 1,993.95, up 19.12 points; it peaked at 1,998.45 in the final hour before profit takers prevented the long-awaited breakthrough.
When the dollar failed to breach 110 yen, a psychologically important level, profit takers stepped in.
In late Chicago trading, pork bellies faltered after a steep midday climb lured profit takers.
Although early day weakness among the leaders, inspired by profit takers, evaporated after a series of small 'buy side' programme trades, generate any genuine investment interest was poor.
As usual, the sales by profit takers caused prices to weaken.