16:20 ET
S&P 500 Posts Sixth Consecutive Loss
Dow -189.01 at 9258.10, Nasdaq -14.55 at 1740.33, S&P -11.29 at 984.94
[BRIEFING.COM] Stocks traded in an extremely volatile manner on Wednesday as investors digested a coordinated global interest rate cut, economic concerns and turmoil in the financial markets.
The S&P 500 settled with a loss of 1.1% after a surge in selling interest in the final half-hour of trade sank stocks from a 2% gain. The S&P 500 traded as high as 2.5% and down as much as 2.5%. Eight of the ten economic sectors posted a loss in heavy trading volume.
The Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Swiss National Bank, Bank of Canada, and Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden) made an emergency intermeeting coordinated 50 basis point rate cut. Increased economic risks and moderating inflation pressures warranted the move in an effort to improve liquidity and reduce strains in the financial market, the Fed said. The fed funds rate is now at 1.50%, and the discount rate is at 1.75%.
The move to cut interest rates came as global equities tumbled due to tight credit markets and economic worries. Japan's Nikkei plummeted 9.4% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 8.2%. Europe fell 6.0% as its financial institutions remain troubled -- Britain announced a plan to bailout its banking system, which included a pledge for $87 billion in direct support for eight major banks, according to reports.
In corporate news, Bank of America (BAC 21.97, -1.80) fell 7.6% after its $10 billion common stock offering was priced at a 7.5% discount to yesterday's closing level and a 31.7% discount to BofA's closing level on Monday. BofA plunged more than 25% on Tuesday after announcing disappointing third quarter earnings, giving a dour outlook, cutting its dividend by 50% and announcing the $10 billion common stock offering.
The financial sector (-3.0%) ended the session as a laggard after giving up a 3.9% gain in late-session selling pressure as investors were aware that the SEC short-selling ban is scheduled to expire at midnight tonight.
Dow component Alcoa (AA 14.60, -2.11) marked the start of the third quarter earnings season on a negative note after the aluminum maker's results fell well short of expectations. Third quarter earnings per share dropped 40% year-over-year due to falling aluminum prices, softening demand and higher costs.
Despite the weakness in Alcoa, the material sector outperformed with a gain of 2.6%. Agriculture chemical company Monsanto (MON 81.63, +7.45) pleased investors with its quarterly earnings report.
Several retailers reported a decline in September same-store sales and cut their third quarter earnings outlook. Wal-Mart (WMT 54.57, -0.27) and Costco (COST 56.89, -0.91) both posted solid growth, however, benefiting from bargain-hunting consumers.
In commodity trading, oil prices saw large swings, moving largely in tandem with stocks, as traders speculated how the global economic turmoil will impact demand. The government's weekly energy inventory data showed larger-than-expected increases in crude and gasoline stockpiles. Oil prices fell 1.6% to $88.64 per barrel.
Despite the economic turmoil and uncertainty, Treasuries came under selling pressure after the government sold additional debt to meet high investor demand, according to reports. The 10-year note dropped 46 ticks to send its yield up to 3.67%.
The S&P 500 has posted six consecutive losses -- the longest losing streak since 2002.
..Nasdaq 100 +0.1%. ..S&P Midcap 400 -1.2%. ..Russell 2000 -2.2%.
