From the SMW archive. Originally published October 25, 2011. This article is preserved as a historical record — facts, figures, and market context reflect 2011.

Stocks End Sharply Lower on Euro Zone Worries

By Ed Liston · October 25, 2011

Stocks ended sharply lower in trading today as renewed worries about the euro zone debt crisis dragged down investors’ confidence. The concerns heightened after a meeting between European finance ministers was cancelled, raising doubts that European leaders will deliver a comprehensive plan on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, comments from Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, further escalated worries about the euro zone. Merkel’s comments once again highlighted the divisions among European leaders on how to contain the debt crisis.

Apart from the euro zone worries, investors’ confidence was also dented by some weak economic data in the U.S. A report released earlier today showed that confidence among U.S. consumers fell to the lowest level since March 2009. Meanwhile, a housing market report showed that home prices in 20 U.S. cities fell more than forecast in August.

Amid euro zone worries and weak economic data, the Dow Jones ended the day 1.74% lower at 11,706.62, the S&P 500 ended the day 2% lower at 1,229.05, and the Nasdaq ended the day 2.26% lower at 2,638.42.

Among the major losers in trading today were Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), which ended the day 34.90% lower at $77.37, First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR), which ended the day 25.33% lower at $43.27, Mueller Industries Inc. (NYSE:MLI), which ended the day 17.52% lower at $37.94, United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE:UPS), which ended the day 2.14% lower at $69.35, and 3M Company (NYSE:MMM), which ended the day 6.25% lower at $77.04.

Among the major gainers in trading today were Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX), which ended the day 10.83% higher at $56.50, and Under Armour Inc. (NYSE:UA), which ended the day 5% higher at $80.15.

European markets ended mostly lower in trading today, with the FTSE 100 Index in London closing 0.41% lower and the CAC 40 Index in France closing 1.43% lower.

Ed Liston was a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guided an independent team of experienced analysts and wrote for multiple stock trader publications.