Stocks up but eurozone crisis stalks bond auctions

By Brooks McFeely: DJIA down 134 points, or 1.1% at 11,770. S&P 500 down 20 points or 1.7% at 1,216 Nasdaq down 51 points or 2% at 2,587 GLOBAL MARKETS

The EU has accused Spain of overstating its 2011 budget deficit thus making it easier to make progress in 2012. Furthermore the EU is upset about delays in austerity measures ahead of regional elections next month.

Marc Chandler submits:There is one main force in the capital markets today and it is European debt crisis. The crisis is becoming deeper and broader. Deeper in the sense that the Greek 2.0 is looking more difficult and some reports suggest that if the rating agencies will declare nearly any "voluntary" private sector participation as a "stressed exchange" and therefore at least partial default (selective default), European officials might has well consider bolder action now.

The European single currency held above $1.31 on Thursday as the foreign exchange market digested successful bond auctions in Italy and Spain, ahead of an interest rate call from the European Central Bank.In late morning deals, the euro rose to $1.3137 from $1.3128 in New York late on Wednesday.Spain passed a major test on Thursday in its first bond auction of 2011, bolstering its case that it has no need for an emergency bailout which would take the eurozone into a new chapter of crisis.

Jeb Handwerger submits:Every precious metals investor should be concerned about China, one of the world's fastest growing economies, raising its rates and rising yields. Changes in the rates affect stock prices. China is leading the world and we can see the fears are profound, as sell-offs this week were much stronger than any of the relief rallies. If China’s market corrects then the commodity market, which was fueling the equity market, could experience a severe correction. It's a domino effect.