AFP - US stocks took a beating Friday as renewed worries about the auto sector accelerated a decline in a market already fretting over the troubled financial sector and rising oil prices.

Reuters - The Toronto Stock Exchange's main index fell more than 200 points on Friday as financial issues were hurt by inflation fears and worries over more U.S. mortgage-related problems, while consumer stocks also fell.

AP - Stocks capped a difficult week with steep losses Friday amid escalating worries about the financial and automotive sectors and a rebound in oil prices. The major indexes fell by more than 1 1/2 percent on the day, and the Dow Jones industrial average gave up more than 200 points to end at its lowest level in three months.

Reuters - Stocks fell sharply on Friday with the Dow closing below 12,000 for the first time since mid-March as rising oil prices and warnings of more mortgage-related write-downs at banks reignited investor fears of worse to come.

AFP - Europe's main stock markets dropped Friday, with London hit by losses to heavyweight banks after share prices fell further in Japan, traders said.

Reuters - Shares of General Motors Corp and Ford Motor Co plummeted after credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's said it may cut the U.S. automakers' ratings.

Reuters - Stocks extended their losses on Friday after Standard and Poor's said it may cut the credit rating of the Big Three automakers, compounding banking-related jitters also driving the market lower.

AP - Stocks tumbled Friday on escalating worries about the financial sector and rebounding oil prices. The major indexes fell more than 1 percent, with the Dow Jones industrials dropping more than 200 points.

Reuters - U.S. stocks rose on Thursday as a drop in oil prices fueled investor optimism about consumer spending, driving shares of transportation and retailers sharply higher.