| The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq composite index and S&P 500 each were down about 1 percent to start the day. Earlier, Japan’s Nikkei index plunged about 5 percent and European stock markets shed 1 to 2 percent. Meanwhile, analysts warned of U.S. pump prices of $4 a gallon, an important psychological barrier that, unlike most economic numbers, is broadcast from street corners nationwide. |
