Sharp losses on the Nikkei sent the markets tumbling during the midday with the Dow plummeting 134 points to 15,043. Nasdaq dropped 33 points to 3411.
On the upside
Harvest Natural Resources (NYSE: HNR) reversed year ago losses to post a profit for the first quarter.
Bargain hunters lifted shares of Dollar General (NYSE: DG).
Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE: HOV) reported an unexpected profit for the second quarter as revenue soared.
On the downside
Investors locked in profits on Ampio Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AMPE).
Giant Interactive Group (NYSE: GA) announced a secondary offer of more than 15 million American Depositary Shares.
Goldman Sachs downgraded Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL) to a Sell rating.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 3 to 1 on the NYSE and by 5 to 2 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index tumbled 15 points to 1616.
