Stocks point lower on economic worries U.S. stocks looked to extend their losses at the open Thursday as investors found little relief from worries about the fate of Detroit's three automakers and broader fears about the struggling economy.
Stock futures contracts fell more than 1 percent following a late-day sell-off Wednesday that sent stocks to their lowest levels since 2003. The major indexes fell more than 5 percent, while the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled below 8,000, a psychological benchmark for the market.
Investors who have been groping for a bottom to the yearlong market rout are now worried that Washington's disagreement over whether to bail out the auto industry could lead to bankruptcy of major automakers like General Motors Corp. and could send ripple effects through the economy _ including a further blow to consumer confidence.
U.S. stocks fall to lowest in five-plus yearsU.S. stocks plunged to their lowest in 5A1 2 years on Wednesday as investors girded for a lengthy economic downturn and automotive executives predicted a far-reaching calamity without a government lifeline.
GM to announce more production cuts?General Motors Corp. is telling workers that it will make further production cuts at several factories, according to people briefed on the discussions.
Slowdown saps promise of emerging auto markets Smoke and flashing lights, dancing girls in white go-go boots _ the world's top automakers put on dazzling shows Tuesday as they wooed Chinese buyers with their latest models.
But for all the flash at this year's Guangzhou Auto Show, automakers face a dimmer outlook for global sales, even here in the world's second-largest vehicle market.
Just as General Motors Corp. and other manufacturers are desperately looking to emerging markets to compensate for falling sales in the U.S., Europe and Japan, potential car buyers in China, Russia and other once sizzling markets are pulling back.
Stocks decline as hopes fade for immediate bailout Flip-flopping sentiment about the prospects for U.S. automakers battered stocks again Thursday as hopes rose then fell that lawmakers would soon put together an aid package for the companies. Stocks declined after a brief advance that came on hopes that Washington would agree to help Detroit's Big Three.
Democratic leaders in Congress delayed a vote on bailing out the auto industry until December and are asking the companies to present a plan to show how the $25 billion cash injection they have sought would be used. Stocks rose briefly Thursday after a bipartisan group of senators reached a compromise to funnel emergency loans to General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.
