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Jitters hit top Wall Street banks Jitters hit top Wall Street banks
(about 3 hours later)
Shares in two US banking giants have fallen on Thursday as investors continue to worry about the turmoil in the global financial markets. Shares in two US banking giants have fluctuated sharply as investors continued to worry about the turmoil in global financial markets.
Shares in Morgan Stanley fell 21%, while Goldman Sachs, the largest remaining independent investment bank declined 13%. Shares in Goldman Sachs, the largest remaining independent US investment bank, declined 13% in afternoon trade before paring losses to end 5.7% down.
Analysts fear the banks may not be able to stand alone as independent firms. Meanwhile Morgan Stanley shares were down 21%, before ending 3.7% on reports that it was looking at a tie-up.
The world's biggest central banks earlier pumped billions of dollars into markets to try to calm investor nerves. Analysts fear independent banks may not be able to stand alone.
Morgan Stanley shares have fallen 38% in the past week amid unprecedented turmoil in the global banking system. The recent dramatic changes in the market have led to greater consolidation, including the acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America earlier this week.
Independence threatenedIndependence threatened
Morgan Stanley is believed to be seeking a partner to help it survive the financial storm.Morgan Stanley is believed to be seeking a partner to help it survive the financial storm.
Analysts also said rival Goldman Sachs may not be able to remain independent.Analysts also said rival Goldman Sachs may not be able to remain independent.
Events of the past week have reshaped the financial landscape including the rescue of insurance giant AIG, the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the takeover of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America. Shares on the leading Dow Jones Industrial Average were boosted sharply on Thursday by reports of a move by the federal government to create an entity for banks to offload their bad debt.
The leading index added more than 400 points, or 3.8%, by close of trade on Thursday after falling 4% lower in the previous session.
The world's biggest central banks earlier pumped billions of dollars into markets to try to calm investor nerves.
Central banks in the UK, US, Europe, Canada, Switzerland and Japan pumped $180bn into money markets on Thursday.Central banks in the UK, US, Europe, Canada, Switzerland and Japan pumped $180bn into money markets on Thursday.
They hope the co-ordinated move, the fourth such effort since the onset of the credit crisis last year, will keep credit flowing and calm volatile markets.They hope the co-ordinated move, the fourth such effort since the onset of the credit crisis last year, will keep credit flowing and calm volatile markets.
US President George W Bush expressed concerns about the turmoil in the markets saying his administration was prepared to go beyond the "extraordinary measures" already taken to stabilize them. US President George W Bush expressed concerns about the turmoil in the markets saying his administration was prepared to go beyond the "extraordinary measures" already taken to stabilise them.