1.   The trading opened when the Environmental Protection Agency auctioned off permits to emit sulphur dioxide.

2.   Bond prices began falling as soon as U.S. trading opened.

3.   In Europe, stocks pared the losses immediately after U.S. trading opened, and then faltered as U.S. shares resumed their slide.

4.   One indicator pointed to a gain in share prices when U.S. stock trading opens.

5.   Some bond trading opened as well, and financial markets were scheduled to resume Monday.

6.   The announcement was made before regular trading opened.