AP - Japanese stocks dropped on Thursday as selling spread across the board on renewed concern over the health of the U.S. financial sector.

AFP - European stock markets held steady on Thursday after heavy falls across Asia and on Wall Street that were triggered by fresh jitters about soaring oil prices and the global credit crunch, dealers said.

Reuters - The Nasdaq rose on Thursday as top technology companies and other exporters benefited from tumbling oil prices, seen as easing strains on global economic growth.

AP - Stocks fluctuated Thursday, dipping in and out of positive territory, after Citigroup Inc. warned that a "substantial" amount of write-downs was likely in the bank's second quarter and as oil prices fell sharply on a move by China to raise price caps.

Reuters - The Dow industrials sank to their lowest close in three months on Wednesday after slipping below 12,000 for the first time since mid-March, as worries about a weak economy compounded credit sector concerns and drove shares of banks, autos and transportation companies sharply lower.

AP - Wall Street sank Wednesday for the second straight day on renewed concerns about the financial sector and FedEx Corp.'s warning that weakening demand and surging fuel costs would weigh on its profits in the coming year.

AFP - Indian shares closed 1.75 percent lower on Wednesday, as investors locked in gains after US stocks fell on persistent inflation and housing data concerns, dealers said.

AFP - European equities fell Wednesday after sharp overnight US losses as sentiment was also hit by a report that a Royal Bank of Scotland analyst had warned of a global market crash.

Reuters - Stocks dropped sharply on Wednesday, with the Dow slipping below 12,000 for the first time since March 18, when the market was reeling from the collapse of Bear Stearns.

AP - The Dow Jones industrial average has fallen below the 12,000 mark for the first time since March.