US Markets End Mostly Down, But Off Session Lows

Shares of US lenders endured another walloping on Wednesday - undermined by worries of more bank failures, although the Nasdaq eked out a gain following assurances from the Swiss central bank about Credit Suisse.

"I'm getting the sense it's very emotional trading," said Cresset Capital's Jack Ablin. "So investors are on high alert for any news that could be disappointing or just anything particularly related to the banks."

Major indices spent most of the day deep in the red, but the Nasdaq popped into positive territory at the end of the day after the Swiss National Bank said Credit Suisse had adequate capital, but that it was ready to make liquidity available to the institution if needed.

The statement came after the shares of the giant bank closed down nearly 25 percent on the Swiss exchange.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended down 0.9 percent at 31,874 - but well above its session low.

The S&P 500 declined 0.7 percent to 3,891, and the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.1 percent to finish at 11,434.

US markets fared better than major European bourses. In London, the FTSE 100 finished 3.8 percent lower at 7,344.45, the DAX in Frankfurt ended down 3.3 percent at 14,735, and the CAC 40 in Paris fell 3.6 percent to 6,885.

But worries about Credit Suisse still weighed on US banks of all sizes, with giants like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup losing around five percent and the embattled midsized lender First Republic Bank slumping 21.4 percent.

Anxiety about the banks overshadowed US economic data that suggested a slowing economy that could ease pressure on the Federal Reserve next week.

US wholesale prices fell unexpectedly last month, while retail sales also contracted, driven by declines in sales at department and furniture stores.

The data has contributed to the investor view that the Fed could pause its interest rate increases next week.

Among other stocks, petroleum-linked shares fell sharply as US oil prices finished at their lowest level since December 2021 amid recession worries.

Chevron dropped 4.3 percent and Halliburton and Transocean both slumped around 9.0 percent. (AFP)