Inside Option

U.S. closed about 1 percent lower Friday, ending the year's first trading week with sharp losses as concerns about and global slowdown persisted.

industrial average and S&P 500 had their worst first five-day performance of a year in history, according to data from Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices. The S&P 500 lost $1.05 trillion this week, he said.

Stocks struggle for gains; energy weighs

Pressured by gains, commodities hit thirteen-year low 

Euro and commodities skid, Asia stocks mixed The euro sagged to a seven-month trough on Monday as the prospect of more policy easing in Europe benefited the U.S. dollar, while activity in Asian shares was crimped by a holiday in Japan.