U.S. prosecutors in New York began an investigation into the investment bank, a source told Reuters, raising the possibility of criminal charges two weeks after the Securities and Exchange Commission accused the bank of fraud.
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> fell 158.71 points, or 1.42 percent, to 11,008.61. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> lost 20.09 points, or 1.66 percent, to 1,186.69. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 50.73 points, or 2.02 percent, to 2,461.19.
NYMEX-NEW YORK, April 30 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures were up nearly 1 percent on Friday, helped by upbeat first quarter U.S. economic growth data amd as the dollar fell against the euro in light of rising hopes for aid soon coming to Greece.
The U.S. economy grew at a slightly slower-than-expected pace in the first quarter, held back by inventories and exports, but resurgent consumer spending offered evidence of a sustainable recovery, a Commerce Department report showed.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT), June crude
CBOT-CHICAGO, April 30 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grains and soy complex close on Friday.
CBOT-SOYBEANS - July
CBOT-SOYOIL - July
FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures climbed 1.1 percent on Friday after three straight sessions of losses, although exports falling to its lowest in four months curbed gains.
Malaysian palm oil exports for April fell 13 percent to a 1,178,159 tonnes -- the lowest since December, data from cargo surveyor Intertek Testing Services showed on Friday.
The benchmark July crude palm oil contract
REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, April 30 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets gained on Friday, helped by good results and accelerating economic growth in the region, with energy shares pushing Thai stocks higher despite the political crisis.
Signs the U.S. economy is picking up steam helped ease some worries about the global economy, even with the worries over sovereign debt in Greece and elsewhere in Europe.
Singapore <.FTSTI> was up 0.5 percent and Malaysia <.KLSE> rose 0.8 percent amid expectations of strong trade data next week, when pricing of nursing school Masterskill Education's $240 million IPO on Wednesday will provide a gauge of market appetite.
In Singapore, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp
In Kuala Lumpur, Axiata