Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Dow Plunges 449 Points

SEC moves to restrict short selling

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 17, 2008 3:41 PM CDT

(Newser) – Stocks plummeted again today as insecurity about the financial system gripped the markets, the Wall Street Journal reports. The AIG bailout proved to be of little comfort to traders, who quickly began betting on the next big firm to fall. The Dow closed down 449.36 points to 10,609.66. The Nasdaq fell 109.05, closing at 2,098.85, and the S&P 500 lost 57.21 points, settling at 1,156.39.

Morgan Stanley sustained a sharp fall despite announcing earnings that topped expectations. It managed to reverse some of those losses, ending down 24.2%, as did Goldman Sachs, which finished down 13.9% after falling almost twice that at mid-day. Partially to protect those firms, the SEC moved to again tighten restrictions on “naked” short selling.

The markets had another bearish day.
The markets had another bearish day.   (Getty Images)
Trader Vincent Picciotto studies his handheld device as he works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2008.
Trader Vincent Picciotto studies his handheld device as he works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday Sept. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Trader Luke Dalton, foreground, watches the numbers from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange near the end of the trading day Tuesday.
Trader Luke Dalton, foreground, watches the numbers from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange near the end of the trading day Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

There's a clear fright to the market right now. If investors don't know what a firm's exposure is, they're just running away.
- Anthony Conroy, BNY ConvergEx Group

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Stocks, Commodities Plunge

Dow Off 100 as Rate Rally Dies

Dow Up 397 on Positive News

Dow Falls 678 to Sub-9,000 Close

Stocks Flat Amid Bailout Wait


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne