Cyber Monday Deal: Up to 60% off InvestingProCLAIM SALE

US STOCKS-Global recovery concerns sink Wall St

Published 08/17/2009, 10:26 AM
Updated 08/17/2009, 10:30 AM

* Japan economy grows again, but concerns over recovery

* New York State manufacturing data better-than-expected

* Indexes off: S&P 2.2 pct, Dow 1.9 pct, Nasdaq 2.2 pct

* For up-to-the-minute market news click [STXNEWS/US]

(Updates to mid-morning )

By Edward Krudy

NEW YORK, Aug. 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell broadly on Monday as ongoing concerns about the speed of a global economic recovery were compounded by data from Japan, which showed that while the world's No.2 economy returned to growth, the recovery may be shaky.

The near-50 percent run-up in U.S. stock prices, fueled by hopes of a quick economic turnaround and better-than-expected corporate earnings, has led to concerns the market is over-extended. Disappointing retail sales and consumer sentiment data last week added to these concerns.

The equity sell-off in the United States looked to be a rerun of selling in Asia and Europe, where key indexes hit fresh lows. Selling on Wall Street was dominated by banks and commodity-related stocks, which are most sensitive to fears of economic weakness.

Below-par results from the second-biggest U.S. home improvement retailer, Lowe's Cos Inc , highlighted the fragile state of the consumer. The company missed estimates and said 2009 sales would be down about 3 percent. The shares slid 9.4 percent.

Although Japan's data showed its economy pulled out of its worst recession for 60 years and growth was in line with forecasts, economists were wary as exports, the biggest contributor to April-June growth, may slow as the effect of stimulus measures wears off. [ID:nT212505]

"You had some portion of the marketplace that was looking for selling opportunities after a big rally, and we've gotten a couple of good reasons here globally to execute on that thought," said Craig Peckham, equity trading strategist at Jefferies & Co in New York.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 167.85 points, or 1.80 percent, to 9,148.41. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> dropped 21.11 points, or 2.10 percent, to 982.98. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 42.93 points, or 2.16 percent, to 1,942.59.

A much better-than-expected survey of U.S. regional manufacturing did little to cheer stock investors, concerned that the rally since early March has been overdone.

The New York Fed's survey of regional manufacturing came in at 12.08 in August, above the 3.00 consensus, and showed a return to growth in the sector for the first time since April 2008. (Editing by Padraic Cassidy)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.