U.S. markets plunge Thursday

Economists had predicted a sharper increase, but 467,000 jobs lost in the month undermined confidence in a recovery.

In early afternoon trading, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 179.79 points, or 2.11 percent, to 8,324.27. The Standard & Poor's 500 dropped 2.36 percent, 21.76 points, to 901.57. The Nasdaq composite index shed 44.07 points,
2.39 percent, to 1,801.65.

The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury bond rose 20/32 to yield 3.474 percent.

The euro fell to $1.4011, compared to Wednesday's $1.4142. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar fell to 95.94 yen, compared to Wednesday's 96.64 yen.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei average lost 63.78 points to 9,876.15, off 0.64 percent.

In London, the FTSE 100 index dropped 2.11 percent, 63.78 points, to 9,876.15.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.