Stocks slide after Greece bailout talks stall
NEW YORK - Stocks slumped on Friday amid renewed fears that Greece could default on its debt to international lenders.
The Dow Jones industrial average slid 141 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 17,899. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 15 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,094, and the Nasdaq composite lost 31 points, or 0.6 percent, to 5,051.
The International Monetary Fund pulled its negotiators out of talks with Greece late Thursday, saying there had been no progress and that major differences remained on key issues. Without a deal by the end of the month, Greece faces the prospect of going bankrupt and dropping the euro currency.
"The IMF's very public departure from talks yesterday is a clear sign that things are not progressing," said analysts with TD Securities in a note, adding that the Greek government seems to be holding out for a last-minute deal. "The risk of an unexpected outcome and more volatility for the markets may be rising, however, as neither side appear willing (or able) to blink."