Money | Dow Jones Dow Plunges 155 on Global Economy Fears There's bad news coming out of Italy, Spain ... and US By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jul 11, 2011 10:21 AM CDT Copied In this June 23, 2011 file photo, Gregory Rowe (left) works at the New York Stock Exchange, in New York. (Mark Lennihan) Stocks opened sharply lower today amid fresh fears about the global economy. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 144 points, or 1.1%, to 12,513, at the start of trading. It's currently down 155 points. Greece is expected to receive a second financial rescue package to help the country avoid a default on its debts. But there are growing concerns that the debt crisis is spreading to larger countries like Italy and Spain. Already, bond yields for the two countries have risen sharply. Italy's largest banks, UniCredit SpA and Intesa, fell sharply today, sparking fears that even aid from international lenders may not be enough to stop a broad deterioration of the European economy. Some investors believe some of Italy and Spain's financial institutions might not pass a Friday stress-test for European banks. The US' disappointing employment news and setback in negotiations over the country's debt limit aren't helping matters. Read These Next Trumps ends trade talks with Canada. Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. New York Times ranks the best movies of the 21st century. A man has been deported for kicking an airport customs beagle. Get breaking news in your inbox. What you need to know, as soon as we know it. Sign up Report an error