Markets Take a Beating: DOW Tanks Almost 400 Points

Stocks have taken a sharp downwards turn, the worst in a six week period, and most analysts are blaming this on the uncertainty and worries surrounding the eurozone.

Interest rates on Italian government debt spiked, evidence that investors are losing faith in the country's ability to repay its debt.

In Greece, power-sharing talks fell apart between the country's two main political parties. That raised doubts about whether a default can be avoided.

The Dow sank 3.2 percent to close at 11,781, the biggest drop since Sept. 22.

The S&P 500 lost 47 points, or 3.7 percent, to 1,229.

The Nasdaq slid 106, or 3.9 percent, to 2,622.

Nine stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Trading volume was high at 4.6 billion shares.

The U.S. financial sector also took a severe beating because of eurozone worries (via Business Insider):

• Morgan Stanley: plunged 9 percent
• Goldman Sachs: fell 8 percent
• Jefferies: down by 10 percent

The Associated Press contributed to this story.