NEW YORK — Pessimism about Greece’s financial problems returned to the financial markets Monday. Stocks fell sharply as investors once again doubted that the country will be able to avoid a default on its debt.
Even after a late-day rally cut its losses by nearly half, the Dow Jones industrial average closed down 108.08, or 0.9 percent, at 11,401.01. The drop ended five days of gains for stocks and marked the return of the back-and-forth trading that has accompanied the uncertainty about Europe’s debt crisis.
The Nasdaq composite fell 9.48, or 0.4 percent, to 2,612.83. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 11.92, or 1 percent, to 1,204.09. The S&P 500 gained 5.4 percent last week as it appeared Greece would get its bailout. But European finance ministers said Friday they would delay authorizing an $11 billion installment of emergency funds for Greece until October.
On Monday, the country’s finance minister held an emergency teleconference with its international creditors. They are pressuring the government on austerity measures to reduce Greece’s debt. Investors fear Greece won’t be able to convince lenders that it can pay its debts — and that it won’t get the money it needs to avoid a default on debts that must be paid next month.
Late Monday, Greece’s finance minister said that the 2 1/2-hour conference call was “productive and substantive.” Hope that Greece might be closer to qualifying for rescue funds started a late comeback. The Dow gained about 100 points in the last hour of trading.
But investors also appeared pessimistic about a Federal Reserve policy decision expected Wednesday. Some economists believe that since the Fed decided to hold a two-day meeting instead of a one-day session, that it was preparing to take steps to stimulate the economy.
There is too much disagreement among Fed officials about monetary policy for a decision right now, said Ralph Fogel, head of investment strategy at Fogel Neale Partners in New York.
“They’ll have to let it play out at least a little while longer, and I think they’ll wait until November,” Fogel said.
Separately, President Barack Obama on Monday called for $1.5 trillion in new taxes to help reduce the U.S. deficit. The proposal is being opposed by House Speaker John Boehner.
“The market just can’t stand not knowing what’s going on,” Fogel said.
