Asia, Stocks Down | featured news

Trading in the stock market turned more treacherous in late-day trading as investors reacted to slowing economic growth in China and a massive commodity sell-off -- and as initial word spread as well of the explosions at the end of the Boston Marathon. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 266 points on the day, down 1.8%. It was the Dow's biggest point drop since Nov. 7, in the wake of President Obama's reelection, when the index lost 295 points.

Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street, deflated by signs that the global economic meltdown is being felt across Asia... China reported sharply lower growth in its exports. The so-called fiscal cliff, when U.S. government spending cuts and higher taxes kick in on Jan. 1, looms larger now that the distraction of earnings season is over.

Stock markets in Asia opened sharply lower Friday amid signs of a possible U.S. recession and renewed worries over the financial health of Europe's banks.

Concerns over the deteriorating condition of Japan's stricken nuclear reactors, and the effect on global economies, sparked the Dow's biggest selloff since August and left the S&P 500 in the red for 2011.

Wall Street tumbled Tuesday, with the Dow down over 200 points, following new worries about rising inflation in Asia and the possibility Ireland might need a bailout.

The tone for Wall Street’s retreat was set before the opening bell with markets in Asia and Europe also falling.

Dow plummets nearly 220 points after trade deficit unexpectedly widens and reports from Asia, Europe spurs concerns recovery is veering off track.

The Dow industrials fell below 10,000 again after an index of China’s economy was revised downward.