The afternoon selloff hit investors already reeling from an unexpected credit tightening by China and disappointing financial results from Apple
The biggest scare came on news that Bank of America
The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 165.07 points, or 1.48 percent, to 10,978.62. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> lost 18.81 points, or 1.59 percent, to 1,165.90. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> fell 43.71 points, or 1.76 percent, to 2,436.95.
NYMEX-NEW YORK, Oct 19 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures ended more than 4 percent lower on Tuesday, suffering the biggest one-day percentage loss in more than eight months, as the dollar strengthened on safe-haven buying following a surprise interest rate increase in China.
Investors fear the move could dampen Chinese and global growth and slow the country's voracious demand for oil and other commodities.
Crude futures fell back after rising more than 2 percent on Monday, lifted by higher refined products futures as strikes in France continued to affect fuel production and oil shipping.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, November crude
CBOT-CHICAGO, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Chicago Board of Trade grain and soy complex close on Tuesday.
CBOT-SOYBEANS - November
CBOT-SOYOIL - December
FCPO-KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil rose on Tuesday along with other vegetable oil markets, although a firmer U.S. dollar and concerns of growing stocks weighed on prices.
Palm oil has rallied in the past week and come within striking distance of the 3,000 ringgit level after the U.S. government cut its soybean crop forecast and the dollar weakened. That rally may have been overdone, traders said.
Technicals are not very promising either. A Reuters analysis showed palm oil is likely to trade at 2,849 ringgit per tonne.
Malaysia's benchmark January palm oil futures
REGIONAL EQUITIES-BANGKOK, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Tuesday as investors bought into growing sectors but the region saw some foreign money flow out despite the prospect of further U.S. monetary easing.
With the results season for Southeast Asian firms beginning, Thailand <.SETI> clawed back from a one-week low on Monday thanks to buying in banks, while the indexes of Singapore <.FTSTI>, Malaysia <.KLSE> and Indonesia <.JKSE> eked out small gains.
Despite the gain, Jakarta recorded $147.7 million in outflows on the day, the biggest this year, according to Thomson Reuters data.
In Singapore, medium-caps led gainers, with casino operator Genting Singapore Plc