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January 23, 2010 2:02 PM

Wall St. Ends Bad Week With Steeper Slide

(AP)  Updated at 5:10 p.m. EST

Stocks suffered their fourth sharp drop in five trading days as investors caved to growing anxiety about and earnings reports that just aren't good enough.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 217 points Friday, having lost 552 points, or 5.2 percent, over the past three days. Over the past five trading days, the Dow has fallen 537 points, having gained 115 points on Tuesday. For the week, the Dow is down more than 430 points.

The drop gave the Dow its worst week since the index hit a 12-year low in March.

All the major indicators fell more than 2 percent.

It's the Dow's first close below 10,200 since November.

Five stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was 1.5 billion shares, in line with Thursday.

The market's pullback extended losses that gave the Dow its biggest two-day drop since June.

Investors seemed to find uncertainty or bad news wherever they looked. Even before Mr. Obama announced his plan on Thursday, they were selling stocks on disappointing earnings and concerns that a possible slowdown in China's economy might spread. The mood in the market was dark enough that upbeat earnings Friday from General Electric Co. and McDonald's Corp. weren't enough to sway investors.

John Brady, a senior vice president of global interest rates at MF Global, said concerns surrounding Mr. Obama's plan and China's efforts to tame its economy have investors cutting their exposure to risk.

And while earnings reports in recent days have frequently beat analyst expectations, major companies are disappointing investors by still taking a very cautious stance about the U.S. economy.

"We expect (earnings) to be better," said Brett D'Arcy, chief investment officer at CBIZ Wealth Management Group in San Diego. "People are being more particular."

The market's reaction to Google Inc.'s earnings showed how uneasy investors are. The Internet search giant posted earnings that topped analyst estimates, but its stock fell as revenue growth only matched expectations and, unlike its profit, didn't exceed forecasts.

Mr. Obama spooked the market Thursday after asking Congress for limits on how large big banks can be and to end some of the risky trading large financial companies have used in recent quarters to boost their profits.

"It appears to be a move to put some shackles on risk-takers," Mitch Schlesinger, managing partner at FBB Capital Partners in Bethesda, Md., said of the new proposals.

Mr. Obama's push for tighter regulations comes at the same time China is moving to cool its economy with measures such as reining in lending and stepping up regulatory oversight of that country's banks.

According to preliminary calculations, the Dow fell 216.90, or 2.1 percent, to 10,172.98.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 24.72, or 2.2 percent, to 1,091.76.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 60.41, or 2.7 percent, to 2,205.29, reflecting a pullback in technology stocks in response to Google's earnings, and also an analysts' downgrade of chip makers.

For the week, the Dow lost 4.1 percent, the S&P 500 index slid 3.9 percent, and the Nasdaq lost 3.6 percent.

There is more uncertainty for the markets next week, and not just because more earnings reports will arrive. The Federal Reserve holds its first meeting on interest rates of 2010, and investors are also waiting to see if the Senate will confirm the reappointment of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. Some lawmakers .

The Dow lost 213 points Thursday and 336 points, or 3.1 percent, during the past two trading sessions. The losses have erased the gains seen in 2010.

Google dropped $34.20, or 5.9 percent, to $548.78.

Shares in GE and McDonald's both rose on their earnings, but didn't motivate investors to buy across the market.

GE , but it also said orders and backlogs for its products and services are increasing, a sure sign its business will pick up in 2010. That helped its shares rise 33 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $16.35.

McDonald's fourth-quarter earnings as consumers cut back their spending. But sales growth at its U.S. restaurants slowed and net revenue fell for the year. The company's stock rose 73 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $63.93.

Credit card issuer Capital One Financial Corp. fell $4.50, or 10.5 percent, to $38.20 after the company reported after the end of trading Thursday that it saw an increase in the percentage of loans it expects won't be repaid.

Other credit cards fell after Fitch Ratings said delinquent balances on credit cards hit a record high in November and an analyst downgraded credit card companies. American Express Co. dropped $3.66 or 8.7 percent, to $38.50.

Two stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume came to 894 million shares compared with 1.04 billion shares traded at the same point Thursday.

Bond prices were mixed. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, rose to 3.61 percent from 3.59 percent late Thursday.

The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold fell.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 12.29, or 2 percent, to 616.07.

Overseas, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.6 percent, Germany's DAX index lost 0.9 percent, and France's CAC-40 dropped 1.1 percent. Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 2.6 percent.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add a Comment See all 53 Comments
by RobAla January 23, 2010 2:01 PM EST
President Obams seems to be really good at causing the stock market to take a dive. The problem with his actions are that each time the stock market drops, Americans lose money in their life savings and retirement (401Ks and stock). If he doesn't know what he is doing, he just needs to stop messing around with it. It will come back, but it will come back in spite of him. Just like the economy; it will come back, but it will come back in spite of him (if he doesn't send the nation into bankruptcy with his outrageous spending on his beloved big government. I hope the next Congress will put the brakes on the growth of government. If not, the future of the nation is at risk.
Reply to this comment
by steeepe January 23, 2010 8:19 PM EST
I guess you didn't notice when the stock market went into a tailspin when Bush was president...Short memory?
by starleo146 January 23, 2010 10:02 PM EST
by steeepe January 23, 2010 8:19 PM EST
I guess you didn't notice when the stock market went into a tailspin when Bush was president...Short memory?we still do not know where that 750 billion he got went Golden Sachs I guess wasn't Paulsen CEO of that corporation that will feed republicans money till the cows come home no one can account for any of it
by curse914 January 23, 2010 11:19 AM EST
by wjksea January 23, 2010 11:04 AM EST
Obama's fault? Before his announcement last wednesday I thought of completely removing myself from the market. Went to a movie instead. I should listen to my gut more. If more people consider disengaging and then disengage completely based on the perceptions I have then the market will go down not by way of Obama's words but by a growing awaremess that participation in this system we have is merely exposing ones self to a gamey, dishonest and corrupt system. Play the slots risk losing. Read your prospectus to start with.

[][][[][[[][[][][][]

I cashed out my 401k before the first big tumble in the market, because it was obvious we do not have a functional economy. Even just a basic understand of economics dictates that a Service Based Economy is absurd. Add to that Corporations that insist that we compete with countries that have no product or labor laws and you have a nation in decline.

Now we have the banks threatening to move out of the nation because "regulating" them will make them less competitive with foreign banks. So the F-ing what, let them fail, because we should not be letting that foreign money flow into America with out penalty since labor can not do the same.
Reply to this comment
by indiethink January 23, 2010 10:24 AM EST
brian,
The feds didn't force the banks to be so creative. The whole credit default swap vehicle brought down AIG, the rest fell like dominoes.

Just for the record, I'm not a liberal, just believe policy that allows "too big to fail" to come about has to go. It's just plain bad for the country. Glass Steagall worked so well we should do it again. During the 50+ years it was in place the economy grew. and bubbles were better contained.
Reply to this comment
by wjksea January 23, 2010 10:38 AM EST
yeah, without rules the gangsters in the big SUVs tend to take over the intersections. I agree we need regulation. As a republic it's crucial to recognize that letting organized capital, corporations, have a voice as if such organizations have personhood is problematic. I think every organization that contributes to the political process should be internally organized at least as democratically as the republic invisioned by the founders of this nation. Otherwise such entities along with churches should be viewed as sovereign and separate from the political debate. Failing to clarify this has led to non-democratic organizations, in essence dictatorships, undermine our constitutional concept of a republic or democracy.
by nearl451 January 23, 2010 9:24 AM EST
Because of a ruling by the SCOTUS this week, Wall Street has nothing to worry about. Large Corporations and Industry now has UNLIMITED voice around elections to promote it's will and force out any politician that would dare provide ANY oversight or regulation.

In coming years there will be no such thing as company liability for anything, there will be no work hour limits, I'll be 19th Century fare.

K-Street and Wall Street are EXUBERANT - - [until the Chinese pull the plug. Foriegn influence wilbe the only remaining effect.]

In every election the airwaves will absorbed by whomever has the deepest pockets. And you won't be able to listen to radio or tv for months before any election.

Welcome to the Corporatist States of America. We have gone from a phony fear of Socialism to a real STATE of Corporatism within a few days.

Take heart Brian and quit your GD complaining.
Reply to this comment
by nearl451 January 23, 2010 9:28 AM EST
In the name of Free Speech, SCOTUS has done this - - drowned out any chance for voice of the people.

The more dollars you can spend, the more voice you have. Now Corporations can outspend anyone.
by nearl451 January 23, 2010 9:31 AM EST
BTW. I am not against Corporations nor Free Market, just unlimited powers given Corporations.
by sleepyric January 23, 2010 7:51 AM EST
Dear Pres; Congress; Wallstreet, etc....Why don't you all keep your mouths shut and do your planning, whispering, scheming, etc...in private. Every time you open your worthless mouths, our hard earned retirement money disappears! I hate you all.
Reply to this comment
by wjksea January 23, 2010 10:25 AM EST
Consider taking responsibility for your own investment. If you play the slots in Vegas, you can blame the Casino all you want or you can stop gambling in Vegas. Our system is one big fat lie. If this truly were free market capitalism your 401k would be near zero right about now.
by gwjackie January 23, 2010 6:21 AM EST
All the stock market will ever be is a PONZI scheme
Reply to this comment
by ricklf1 January 23, 2010 7:54 AM EST
Yes gwjackie, you are correct. I was hoping that there would be a forced change in the rules that govern the massive purchase and sudden sale of stocks ("Pump and Dump"), for the direct profit of the Fat Cats of Wall Street. The answer for the small investors to protect ourselves is to "INVEST NOW" doing what is necessary to make yourself "healthy". (2nd) "pay off all debt or as much as you can" Then invest durable dry food stocks, good quality water filter systems and purchase necessary items that you beleive will be too expensive to purchase later. That is much better than the stock market for the profit of the Elite Fat Cats of Wall street (In my opinion only)
by gwjackie January 23, 2010 6:08 AM EST
Wow some of these post sound like little kids kicking ans screaming to get there way. If you don't let me play this game as i want i will take my game and go home well there is the door. Let the banks do what they want and when shi! hits the fan let the taxpayer pick up the pieces this risky game that the banks play has to STOP NOW.
Reply to this comment
by ricklf1 January 23, 2010 5:43 AM EST
In my opinion only, this is called "PUMP and DUMP". The Stock market is being manulipated using the "Lost $2 Trillion" that the Federal Reserve banking system (a privately owned and operated banking system) which is above the law powers of the United States Congress, has somehow quietly passed into the hands of the Fat Cat Stock investors. The intent is to gain the public's trust to believe that the economy has started to turn around for the better. Once the little investor feels better and starts to purchase stocks again, the rug gets pulled out from the stock market and their money falls into the pockets of the FAT CAT investors. Note: (this is my opinion only)
Reply to this comment
by wjksea January 23, 2010 11:08 AM EST
You don't need to apologize for your opinion or is it your intuition. There is a level of truth in it for sure. The system is gamey and dishonest. Bernie Madoff... well, largely he became an immediate scape goat for the fact the whole thing is a scam.
by Clemsson January 23, 2010 2:49 AM EST
Thanks Barack.

We'll remember how you and the Democrats ruined our 401K's next November.

*******.
Reply to this comment
by wjksea January 23, 2010 11:14 AM EST
And I'll never forget how the "free market" get rid of big government lobbyists took trillions from We the People, the government, and got bigger in size and fewer in number while stomping on the vast majority of participants in this corrupt system. If we truly had free market capitalism your 401k would equal somewhere around zero and Goldman Sachs would belong to the people of the United States in order to protect our economy from crooks. If you play the slots and lose it's not adult to externalize your weakness for gambling.
by indiethink January 22, 2010 11:01 PM EST
The DOW is still above 10,000. A year ago it was around 8,000. All of our 401k's are better off today, even after this weeks slide.

I can't figure out if folks are opposed to Obama or in favor of bankers.
Reply to this comment
by wjksea January 23, 2010 10:22 AM EST
I have some money in the market and if it goes down further I own up to the fact I read the prospectus and participated in corruption. The system isn't honest. There are lists of anecdotals that could be used to substantiate this. If telling a lie gives one an apparent gain then one likewise must prepare to take the hit when truth moves in.
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