Stocks Mired in Weakness

BRIEFING.COM] The major indices are near session lows as broad-based losses weigh on trade. Pressure remains considerable as eight of the 10 major sectors trade with losses of at least 1% -- half of the sectors are down by 2% or more.

Only consumer staples and health care have managed to limit their losses to less than 1%. The consumer staples sector is currently down 0.8%, though Colgate-Palmolive (CL 83.96, -1.91) is trading considerably lower following news that there are no discussions of a deal between Colgate-Palmolive and Reckitt Benckiser. Shares of CL were given a sharp lift late in the previous session as rumors of a potential deal began to circulate.

Meanwhile, health care stocks have limited their losses amid relative strength in shares of health care facilities. The group is up 1.1% at the moment. Market participants continue to assess what may follow a Senate health care reform bill that was presented last evening.Morehttp://news.briefing.com/GeneralContent/Investor/Active/ArticlePopup/ArticlePopup.aspx?ArticleId=SI20091119110537

Stocks Mired in Weakness