Stocks finish sharply lower on bailout plan

[Pale Blue Dot]

Source: MSNBC

NEW YORK - Volatility is again sweeping the financial markets, with investors growing more nervous while they wait for further word about the government's plan to buy $700 billion in banks' mortgage debt. Stocks finished down sharply; the Dow Jones industrials closed down about 380 points, while investors have sought safety in hard assets such as gold and oil.

At one point, crude was up more than $25 a barrel as the October contract was on the verge of expiring. That pending expiration contributed to the price swing in oil, but emotion was still running high in the commodities markets.

Investors are relieved that federal authorities are taking action to relieve the nation's banks of their toxic assets. But Wall Street is not sure yet how successful the plan will be in unfreezing credit markets, which many businesses depend on to fund day-to-day operations, and for propping up the still-weak housing market.

Bush administration officials and congressional leaders have been meeting on the rescue plan, the thrust of which congressional leaders have endorsed. Many market observers are hoping for details of the plan to emerge by midweek and delays could weigh on investor sentiment.

"For now I think the market is giving everyone the benefit of the doubt," said Axel Merk, portfolio manager at Merk Funds. "This is not an 'all is clear' signal that we have now."

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3683270/