Jobs data send stocks sliding

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Stocks fell to their lowest level in four months Friday after the government said hiring remains weak and another European country warned its economy was in trouble.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 323 points to close below 10,000. It was the lowest finish since February and the third-worst slide of the year.

Retailers were among the hardest-hit stocks after investors bet that a weak job market would discourage consumers from spending.

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