Reuters - U.S. stocks fell and the S&P 500 marked its worst-ever start to a year on Friday, after the government said it will take a large stake in Citigroup's common shares, fanning fears it will increase its role in other major banks.

Reuters - Wall Street is unlikely to get a reprieve next week as relentless worries about U.S. banks and the economy could embolden bears to drive the market below the 12-year lows hit on Friday.

AP - Wall Street ended another unforgiving month with a steep loss after a spate of downbeat news unsettled investors.

AP - Wall Street ended another unforgiving month with a steep loss — one that left the Dow Jones industrial average at less than half its record high.

AP - European and U.S. markets plunged Friday after economic data showed the U.S. economy shrank in the fourth quarter at the fastest pace in over a quarter century.

AFP - Shares in London fell markedly Friday in a session marked by fresh selling in the banking sector and notable weakness amongst pharmaceutical shares.

Reuters - U.S. stocks dipped on Friday as a move by the U.S. government to take a large common equity stake in embattled Citigroup sowed more uncertainty over the fate of banks and grim economic data weighed on trading.

AP - Investors steadied themselves Friday after initially dumping stocks when Citigroup Inc. announced details of its plan to turn over more of the company to the government.

Reuters - Stocks fell in volatile trading on Thursday as investors sold off shares of healthcare companies such as Merck & Co on worries that U.S. President Barack Obama's budget proposal will strangle profits.

AP - For once, it wasn't the troubled banks leading the stock market to a loss on Thursday.

AP - This time, health care stocks bore the brunt of investors' wrath.

AP - Asian stock markets were narrowly mixed Friday, with Japan's benchmark up 1.5 percent, as persistent worries about the deteriorating world economy and financial system sidelined many investors.

Reuters - Fresh steps by the British government to shore up the ailing banking sector helped European stocks shrug off a negative lead from Asia on Thursday and took the shine off dollar gains versus major currencies.