Stocks at Session Lows

The major U.S. equity averages are sitting at session lows at mid-day on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has shed 151 points. The widely watched blue-chip index has traded in a range between 12,025 and 12,196. The S&P 500 had plunged more than 21 points at last check to 1,239, while the Nasdaq Composite index has lost 37 points, or 1.42%. The worst performing sectors have been basic materials, financials and energy. Leading bank stocks have been hard hit, including a 7.81% loss for Citigroup

and a 7% decline in Morgan Stanley

shares.