A free-fall in commodities and an unexpected jump in unemployment claims put financial markets on edge, dragging the stock market lower.
Oil prices fell nearly $10, or 9 percent, to close below $100 a barrel for the first time since mid-March. Silver and gold also fell steeply. Stock indexes fell as concerns grew that Friday's jobs report may be worse than originally thought. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 139 points, or 1.1 percent, to 12,584. The S&P 500 dropped 12, or 0.9 percent, to 1,335. The Nasdaq composite fell 14, or 0.5 percent, to 2,815. Two stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Consolidated volume came to 4.8 billion shares.Commodities fall puts financial markets on edge
NEW YORK
