The Dow plunge: 5 theories

Why stocks are stumbling even though economists say the recession is over

Thursday was a disaster for Wall Street. Why?
(Image credit: Corbis)

Stocks sank on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipping below the psychological barrier of 10,000 briefly for the first time in months. And, despite signs the recession is over, investors remained worried early Friday. What's going on? (Watch an AP report about the Dow's plunge)

1. Blame Europe: Debt problems in Europe triggered Thursday's "near panic," says Paul Tharp in the New York Post. With Greece looking briefly like it might default on its debt, and Portugal in trouble, too, investors were looking for "safe but elusive havens."

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