Rise in Jobless Claims Stokes Recovery Worries: The data on Thursday added to concerns over the risk of a double-dip recession.

Bad News on Economy Gives Investors More Reasons to Sell: US manufacturing activity fell to its lowest in six months, while contracts for pending sales of previously owned homes plunged a record 30 percent in May, far more than expected.

Meanwhile, as of noon today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at its lowest point in more than eight months.