From Investors Business Daily:
Major averages ended near session lows after a volatile session Wednesday that started with sliding oil prices and news before the open from Russia.
The Nasdaq sank 1.2%, the S&P 500 fell 0.8% and the Dow Jones industrial average gave up 0.7%. Volume tracked higher across the board in the stock market today, according to preliminary data.
The indexes opened sharply lower, then turned positive before slumping even further into the close. Russia hiked its interest rate overnight to 17% from 10.5%, but the ruble still sold off after an initial gain.
Oil and gas stocks, which started the session among the biggest losers, led the upside as oil prices bounced back. West Texas intermediate crude opened at a multiyear low, but ended little changed near $56 a barrel.
Other groups scoring gains included alcoholic beverages, newspapers and coal stocks. Internet content, consumer electronics retailers and online travel stocks underperformed....MORE
