S&P lowers Fannie, Freddie, others fixed to U.S.
The Dow Jones mechanized mean fell just about 300 points, otherwise 3.2 percent. The S&P 500 supply directory tumbled near 5 percent. Investors seeking safety drove gold prices up and bank account yields down. Mondays downgrades of the mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie reflected their nonstop confidence on the U.S.