Stocks stumbled on Wednesday. driven down by energy companies as investors grappled with more dismal data and gloomy outlooks from global heavyweights.
The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) fell 75.66 points, or 0.89%, at 8,343.43. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (.SPX) slipped 6.04 points, or 0.71%, to 841.98. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) dropped 6.52 points, or 0.45%, at 1,443.28.
With the United States officially mired in a year-old recession, stocks have tended to stage isolated rallies that soon sputter out. The benchmark S&P 500 is down more than 40% for the year.
LONDON - European stock markets closed higher on Wednesday, coming off early lows, with London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares up 47.1, or 1.14%, at 4,169.96 points.
FRANKFURT - The DAX gained 35.45, or 0.78%, to 4,567.24 points.
PARIS - The CAC 40 rose 13.75, or 0.44%, to 3,166.65 points.
(Agencies)
