Analysts, once prominent within the industry, are joining a growing pool of bankers and traders losing their jobs before bonus times, with few job prospects on the horizon.

After creeping into positive territory in late trading, markets did a U-turn and slid back to close down 4 percent.

Shares climbed back after being down almost 4 percent in the face of lower corporate earnings and a record decline in retail sales.

A day after closing more than 5 percent higher in an afternoon buying frenzy, shares were down almost 3 percent Friday at the major exchanges.

Shares fell more than 4 percent as investors wondered about the depth and length of the recession.

Shares fell more than 4 percent as investors wondered about the depth and length of the recession.

Shares were battered after Best Buy warned of a sharp downturn in consumer spending, adding to pessimism about a holiday season that already appeared bleak.

Shares fell in early trading amid increasing evidence that consumers are sharply cutting back on spending.

European stocks struggled to move higher as Wall Street headed toward an uncertain open, with investors trying to assess the depth of the global economic slump.

Shares on Wall Street fell sharply in early trading amid more signs that the economic slowdown was hurting the retail stores across the country.