国际英语新闻：Global economic jitters send stocks in correction

NEW YORK, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Pressured by Europe debt crisis, slow economic recovery and uncertainty in financial reform, all three major indexes of U.S. stocks broke the 10 percent correction level from previous highs on Thursday.

Thursday's heavy sell-off came as an increase in jobless claims further pressured on a market worrying about euro zone economies.

All three major indexes ended sharply lower, with Nasdaq off more than four percent. The tech-heavy index is now heading to the largest monthly drop since September 2008.

Dow lost more than 370 points, or 3.6 percent, the largest percentage drop since March 5, 2009.

An electronic ticker shows the stocks index at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the United States, May 20, 2010. U.S. stocks suffered another heavy sell-off on Thursday as an increase in jobless claims further pressured on a market worrying about euro zone economies.

All 30 component stocks of the Dow fell, while 497 of the 500 S& P component shares ended lower.

Worries over European debt crisis have been weighing on the market. Germany's ban on naked short selling intensified the concerns and investors were uneasy about the possibility of Greece contagion.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate on Thursday approved to wrap up debate on the biggest overhaul of the country's financial industry. The bill is expected to clear the floor before end of this week. The vote could take place from Thursday afternoon to Friday evening.

Banking shares were under pressures as investors awaited details of potentially tougher regulations.