Fear Rising

Monday, stocks fell 1.1% in Asia, 0.6% in Europe and 0.9% in the U.S. on low volume. The VXO shot up over 13% to close at 11.55, and the S&P 500 Index again fell below the 2000 mark.

Tuesday, stocks closed nearly unchanged in Asia, but dropped 1.3% in Europe and 0.5% in the U.S. on low volume. The VXO shot up nearly 14% to close at 13.13.

Wednesday, in Asia stocks fell 0.5%, but in Europe they rose 0.8% and in the U.S. 0.7% on low volume. The VXO shot down 11% to close at 11.69

Thursday, in Asia stocks changed little, in Europe they fell 0.9% and in the U.S. they plummeted 1.5% on low moderate volume. That was enough to plunge the Dow Jones Industrial Average well below the 17,000 level. The VXO skyrocketed 25% to close at 14.60.

Friday, stocks in Asia fell 0.7%. They rose in Europe 0.3% and in the U.S. 0.7% on low volume. The VXO fell 7% to close the day and week at 13.62.