Mid-Day Recap: Global Stocks Lose Balance

It's been a brutal day in equity markets so far, not just in the US but globally. China’s Shanghai stock market plunged 5.8%, its worst daily loss since November, sending investors into a global sell-off frenzy. Japan's Nikkei index fell 3.1%, Britain's FTSE 100 slid 1.7%, Germany's DAX closed 2% lower, and France's CAC-40 fell 2.3%. By the time the US markets opened, equity futures had already taken a beating in pre-session trading.

Since the open, markets have moved slightly higher but the mid-day results are still awful. As of 1:30, the Nasdaq is the worst of the bunch, trading down 2.51% to 1,935. The benchmark S&P 500 is 2.16% lower at 982, and the Dow is little better with a 1.70% dip to 9,158.

Trading has been heavy, as seen in the volatility index known as the VIX, which jumped 17% in early trading to a one-month high. Moreover, about 2,700 stocks on the New York Stock Exchange fell in the morning, with only 230 heading upwards, according to the Associated Press.

US economic data was mixed this morning, a blend of positives and negatives.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicated that conditions for New York manufacturers are at their most optimistic level since November 2007. The headline Business Conditions index expanded by 13 points to a +12 reading in August â€