Even though a possible rate cut gave fuel to the fiery stock prices, traders noted that it should not have been news to investors.

Several traders noted that prices bounced back almost immediately after the trading limits were imposed in the morning.

"Oil to be delivered a year from now is selling at $17 a barrel," noted one trader, who insisted on not being further identified.

Some traders also noted that the report was inconsistent with other evidence of a much milder economic recovery in Japan.

The swings, while substantial, were not as huge as they had been in previous weeks, traders noted.

In the 15th century, the early European traders noted that they alone of the delta people refused to trade on credit.

But traders noted that all the dollar basically did was stop falling today.

Any reduction in supply has a tendency to bolster prices, traders noted.

And traders noted that the afternoon forecast was still promising some rain in the coming days.

One trader noted that "a lot of major stocks are down 15 percent or more since April 1."