Stocks have extended their recent downturn so that the S&P 500 is now at a fresh session low. The backslide comes in the wake of comments from Libya's Gadhafi, who has stated that he has no intentions of resigning his leadership role. Although weakness is widespread, financials have been hit the hardest this session. The sector has fallen to a 2.4% loss. Within the sector, banks and diversified financial services plays are in the worst shape -- both groups are down in excess of 3%.
As for energy, it continues to trade in positive territory. However, the sector's 0.5% gain is only a third of what it had sported at its session high