Averages pare their losses

Each of the major equity indices remains in negative territory but within striking distance of the flat line. The Dow had been down as much as 118 points before slowly recovering its losses. Declining stocks are ahead of advancing stocks by almost 2:1 while down volume is ahead of up volume by almost 4:1. Crude oil prices are higher by 0.2% and gold is down 0.3%. The Dow is down 27 points, the Nasdaq is down 8 points, and the S&P is down 3 points.