The selloff accelerated after prospects for European and US economic growth dimmed as US consumer confidence fell more than expected and concerns mounted over European banks.
And hopes that demand from China could help offset weakness in the US and Europe were hurt on Tuesday, when the Conference Board corrected its April leading economic indicator for the country, revising it sharply lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell below the 10,000 level, sinking 228 points to 9908 in recent trading. — AP