U.S. stocks plunge on worrisome day

NEW YORK, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Jittery U.S. stock indexes took a day-long plunge Monday amid worries over a disappointing housing report and other downbeat data.

The Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 241.73 points, or 2.1 percent, to close at 11,386.33. All 30 of its components ended lower, led by a 5.5 percent slide in American International Group shares.

Nasdaq slid 2 percent to 2,365.59 and the Standard and Poor 500 was off 2 percent at 1,266.89.

Crude oil prices edged up 52 cents, or 0.5 percent, to finish at $115.11 a barrel.

The dollar was mixed, with the euro falling to $1.4751 from $1.4774, Against the Japanese currency, the dollar fell to 109.32 yen, down from 110.06 yen.

Treasury prices rose. The two-year note was up 5/32 to yield 2.333 percent. The benchmark 10-year note was up 22/32 to yield 3.789 percent.

In economic news, the National Association of Realtors said existing-home sales climbed 3.1 percent in July, rising more than expected. But, in a worrisome development, inventories rose to a record high, and prices continued to fall.

Overseas, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index closed up 1.68 percent at 12,878.66. The London exchange was closed for a holiday.