U.S. stock markets took a beating today, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average
In a return to form, negative news out of Europe rattled investors, specifically from Spain, where fresh news came that the indebted Iberian sovereign plans to delay its decision on whether to seek a bailout. This comes a day before Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is slated to give a much-anticipated speech from the Fed’s annual retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A positive signal could help add fuel to the strong performances from markets over the last several months, despite a consistent spate of paltry or negative economic data that would keep more sane markets at bay.
Traders appear to expect a substantial swing in either direction tomorrow, which was reflected by a sharp rise in the market’s so-called "fear gauge." or the VIX
Around the markets
Individual stocks also issued several compelling performances today, the most high-profile of which came from IPO fallen angel, Pandora Media
In other news, Sears Holdings
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