NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2007

Wild Ride On Wall Street

Dow Plummets More Than 340 Points Then Soars Late, Closing Nearly Flat

  • Play CBS Video Video The Dow's Wild Ride

    The stock market plunged and crawled back up again. Anthony Mason reports that the volatile swings were fueled by the mortgage crisis.

    • A trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange looks at the board at the closing bell 16 August 2007 in New York.

      A trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange looks at the board at the closing bell 16 August 2007 in New York.  (GETTY)

    • Trader Louis Paolillo, second left, watches the numbers as he works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday morning, Aug. 16, 2007. Wall Street pulled off a dramatic late-session turnaround to close mixed Thursday.

      Trader Louis Paolillo, second left, watches the numbers as he works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday morning, Aug. 16, 2007. Wall Street pulled off a dramatic late-session turnaround to close mixed Thursday.  (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

    • Countrywide Financial Corp., the nation's largest mortgage lender, borrowed $11.5 billion from a group of 40 banks to fund loans.

      Countrywide Financial Corp., the nation's largest mortgage lender, borrowed $11.5 billion from a group of 40 banks to fund loans.  (AP)

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    In-depth features on U.S. markets, taxes, employment and the Federal Reserve.

(CBS/AP)  But, there appeared to be renewed sense that bigger financial institutions would be able to withstand troubles in the mortgage industry. Delinquencies and defaults among loans extended to risky borrowers have seeped into the fixed-income market, where mortgage-back securities have suffered.

Bear Stearns Cos., whose shares have tanked because two hedge funds it managed failed because of wrong-way bets on mortgage-backed securities, surged $13.29, or 12.9 percent, to $116.55 on Thursday. Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which announced some of its hedge funds also have taken a massive hit, rose $4.95, or 3 percent, to $169.85.

Bill Strazzullo, partner and chief market strategist at Bell Curve Trading, pointed out that the S&P financial select exchange-traded SPDR, a key indicator that tracks financial stocks, has fallen to levels not seen since July 2006 — just ahead of the stock market's big record-breaking run.

"That was the beginning of a major rally — we retraced the whole thing," said Strazzullo. "The financials have been hammered. Most people who are bullish on the market think that bigger picture, everything will be OK, and look at it as an opportunity to buy in."

But investors certainly had their share of worries to contend with during most of the session. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said its general economic index dropped to zero in August from 9.2 in July. This meant that the regional economy is not expanding, or contracting; the news only further soured the mood on the Street.

Also adding to the unease, the yen rose to a one-year high against the dollar, stirring concern that some investors were getting out of a trading strategy referred to as the yen carry trade — using the Japanese currency to acquire higher-yielding assets elsewhere. The dollar was down against most major currencies on Thursday.

The Commerce Department reported that construction of new homes fell to the lowest level in more than a decade in July as builders continued to struggle with the steepest housing slump since 1991.

Advancing issues outpaced decliners by a 2 to 1 basis on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 2.92 billion shares.

Light, sweet crude fell $2.33 to $71 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, giving back Wednesday's gains as storms brewing in the Caribbean didn't appear to pose a threat to energy operations. Analysts believe worries about the economy, and stocks, have also struck fear among oil investors.

Overseas, markets reacted to the declines in the U.S. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 3.05 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 1.86 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 2.52 percent. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 1.99 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 3.3 percent, while the often-volatile Shanghai Composite Exchange fell 2.1 percent.

© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Add a Comment See all 90 Comments
by lars008-2009 August 17, 2007 9:25 AM EDT
Is islam a violation of international law???

islam practices slavery on non muslims
islam practices apartheid on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices rape on babies and animals
islam practices genocide on non muslims

all are violations of international law and are crimes against humanity

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/22/world/main2505445.shtml
Imam Khomeini - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution
http://www.homa.org/Details.asp?ContentID=2137352826&TOCID=2083225445
Malaysia women ''suffer apartheid''
The daughter of Malaysia''s former prime minister has launched a scathing attack on the roles and status of Muslim women in the country.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4784784.stm
A matter of tolerance
http://musingwithmarinamahathir.blogspot.com/2006/12/matter-of-tolerance.html
Marina Mahathir
http://musingwithmarinamahathir.blogspot.com/
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=slavery+islam&btnG=Search
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4795808.stm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=apartheid islam
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rape islam
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rape islam babies&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=genocide islam&btnG=Search
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 August 17, 2007 9:16 AM EDT
Suicide Killers
http://www.pierrerehov.com/
''Obsession''
Documentary gives insight into radical Islam%u2019s global threat
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/launchPage.html?110506/110506_fnl_obsession&%27Obsession%27&FNL&Documentary%20gives%20insight%20into%20radical%20Islam%92s%20global%20threat&Foxlife&-1&%27Obsession%27&Video%20Launch%20Page&News

http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/12min.htm
http://myspace.com/waragainstthewest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BL4-mxE87w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUpcpEQtgp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUqXSeCDJc
UK TV AIRS SHOCK ''UNDERCOVER'' LOOK INTO MAINSTREAM BRIT MOSQUES...
Dispatches: Undercover Mosque
This is part one of the much-anticipated UK Channel 4 documentary Dispatches: Undercover Mosque, exposing evidence of Islamic supremacism, shocking misogyny, and support for violence at a number of Britain%u2019s leading mosques and Muslim institutions. (Thanks again to LGF operative kasper.)
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24018_Dispatches-_Undercover_Mosque&only
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 August 17, 2007 8:26 AM EDT
ZEITGEISTmovie.com.

The SITE IS BACK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by fascistusa at 03:17 AM : Aug 17, 2007

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

WTC
Study Backs Up Feds'' Theory of Why World Trade Center Collapsed on Sept. 11
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,284816,00.html
New Three-D study supports federal finding in 9-11 tragedy
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=6683593&nav=0zHF
Study Supports Fed''s Finding On WTC Collapse
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=nation_world&id=5401655
Simulation Finds 9/11 Fireproofing Key
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4905202.html
Debunking The 9/11 Myths - Mar. 2005 Cover Story
PM examines the evidence and consults the experts to refute the most persistent conspiracy theories of September 11.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/1227842.html
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 August 17, 2007 6:31 AM EDT

The NIKKEI index is currently down, -875 points.

This should be an interesting Fiday.

''fascistusa'',

Thanks for the update on the film.
Reply to this comment
by usayesterday August 17, 2007 6:26 AM EDT
The SITE IS BACK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by fascistusa at 03:17 AM : Aug 17, 2007
...........

Thank you for the update facistusa!

I''ll go back to posting that link in my email ''signature''.
Reply to this comment
by fascistusa August 17, 2007 6:17 AM EDT
I''d download Microsucks Media Player.

ZEITGEISTmovie.com.

The SITE IS BACK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply to this comment
by kaiyo4u August 17, 2007 1:18 AM EDT
http://video.google.com/videopl

ay?docid=5547481422995115331
Posted by fascistusa at 06:41 PM : Aug 16, 2007

I can''t get quick time to play from this, any suggestions?
Reply to this comment
by mcv57 August 17, 2007 12:01 AM EDT
Hey,
Wonder how long the U.S $40 billion (IOU paper) will prop-up Wall Street. For now, it''s working, but can''t borrowing forever.
Reply to this comment
by usayesterday August 16, 2007 11:31 PM EDT
When was the last time that the Canadian Dollar was worth more than the US Dollar?

That is the way it is today. Right now, it takes $1.0772 USD to buy $1.00 Canadian.

Now, that is a SOUND US economy. Thanks Bu$h!
Posted by HSinCO at 08:12 PM : Aug 16, 2007''
.........

Not to disagree with you, but part of the near parity of the U.S. versus the Canadian dollar is the increased exports of oil from the tar-sands in the northern portion of the Alberta province.

But the grossly skyrocketing trade defecit as well as the overall defecit (though decreasing somewhat) has caused the U.S. Dollar to fall sharply.

Combine the two, and eventually the Canadian dollar will surpass the U.S. dollar in value!
Reply to this comment
by hsinco-2009 August 16, 2007 11:12 PM EDT
When was the last time that the Canadian Dollar was worth more than the US Dollar?

That is the way it is today. Right now, it takes $1.0772 USD to buy $1.00 Canadian.

Now, that is a SOUND US economy. Thanks Bu$h!
Reply to this comment
by sharncedar August 16, 2007 10:32 PM EDT
The "people" bidding up the stock market is our own Federal Government and major banks. They have pushed over $100 billion of our money into the securities markets in the last few days, making bad investments good for the worthless Elite. Of course the stock market can''t fall in nominal value if the Fed Gov throws 1/10 of a trillion dollars into it in 3 days. What happens then however is even more drastic inflation, we''ll see it as phony "energy prices" basically the price of foreign imports. and they''ll spin it as good for us, just as they spun the drastic inflation of housing prices as somehow good for us. Tell the young couples who can''t buy a house how wonderful the ownership society is. Actually, Americans are so dumb they would probably believe it.
Reply to this comment
by timantane August 16, 2007 10:28 PM EDT
Wow, that "snidegrass" can really put a stop to comment posting. That''s a real talent that fellow has.
Reply to this comment
by tnt1954 August 16, 2007 10:28 PM EDT
6 billion mouths to feed on planet earth.
done by the world health organization.
lotta people''s dough is going for unhealthy
stuff. prohibition may be necessary.
that''s a lotta land growing unnecessary juice.
could be used to grow rice or wheat.
lotta fruit of the vine, that the bible
says is the grapes of wrath. fermented.
who would eat grapes gone bad? would you
eat rotten eggs? see dummy? now back to cops
as they arrest more drunk drivers. swerving
all over and in alcoholic blackouts, as they
''go into denial''. i am not drunk, think thank
thunk. hunk of funk and punk.
Reply to this comment
by sharncedar August 16, 2007 10:28 PM EDT
"It''''s an attempt by The Elite to give us The Amero"

What would be so bad about the Amero? If we had a union with Mexico, at least we would get something out of it. We could possibly move down to the Mexican coast and live cheap outside the iron fist of the Man of New York City and his "creative destructive".

What we have now is worse than a union; the Mexicans get to keep every inch of their country and they get ours as well.
Reply to this comment
by tnt1954 August 16, 2007 9:58 PM EDT
and when elected president in 2008, i promise
to be even more silent than silent cal coolidge,
just hang out with my wife in the lincoln
bedroom, eat watermelon have a parrot whose
name is polly cracker, and watch cops everyday
on tv. and just let it all hang out.
and play records for me and my wife, like
hang on sloopy, and my boyfriends back, and
let most of the people just stay on permanent
vacation. cause its gonna get hot. and as
they say, some like it hot. marilyn monroe''s
most famous movie. funding govt. is businesses
responsiblity. my distribution is my wife,
my watermelon, and my graham crackers and
milk at bedtime. no hard stuff like saltines
with butter. i''ll have nothing, and neither
will you, cause by that time, there''ll be nothing
left to eat.
Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 August 16, 2007 9:52 PM EDT
Bargain hunting time.
Reply to this comment
by fascistusa August 16, 2007 9:41 PM EDT
You can download the movie using Bittorent.

ZEITGEISTmovie.com.

The
re is a search feature on Bitttorent.

Or try this link:

http://video.google.com/videopl
ay?docid=5547481422995115331

This market collapse was predicted in the movie. It''s an attempt by The Elite to give us The Amero - a US, Canada, and Mexican currancy. Don''t think it''s so? What was NAFTA about? North American Trade Agreement??
Reply to this comment
by bareemperor August 16, 2007 9:04 PM EDT
It''s Thursday, and Bu$h is still an ignorant liar.
Reply to this comment
by feelfree1 August 16, 2007 8:49 PM EDT
nyckate,

Re: "What some idiots don''''t get is that it''''s the speculators buying up the (housing?) market..."

I think that this is largely the case, and will only fuel the collapse.

Re: "Some areas will be able to mostly hold the real estate value of their homes"

Maybe, but only if we "value" those homes based on the ever-shrinking dOllar.

I wouldn''t put too much stock in the opinions of Merrill Lynch. They are neck deep in this mess. Some analysts are predicting Merrill Lynch, Bear Sterns, and Lehman Brothers, to be in the soup lines before long.
Reply to this comment
by one_american August 16, 2007 8:48 PM EDT
Irrational pessimism about the stock market has created an opportunity to buy a lot of undervalued stocks.

Those who are erroneously wishing for a recession are going to miss the boat.

Reply to this comment
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