user: Input: Most Global Markets Spring Back From Plunge
If there is a crisis in global financial markets, it was not apparent in Asia and Europe today. And on Wall Street, the week got off to an unremarkable start.

Stock prices were up moderately but broadly in the United States for most of the day, with little of the volatility that had characterized the markets last week. But the major indexes shed their modest gains late in the trading session and finished the day not far from where they closed on Friday.

When trading ended, the Dow Jones industrial average closed down 3.01 points, at 13,263.53. The broader Standard & Poors 500 stock index and the Nasdaq composite were each off 0.1 percent or less.

A number of early developments appeared to help put investors at ease today. Before the market opened, the government reported that retail sales rose in July at a solid pace. With mortgage markets tightening and home values dropping in many parts of the country, some economists have questioned whether consumer spending could stand up.

Also, Goldman Sachs moved today to shore up one of its hedge funds that has suffered huge losses in the recent market turmoil. The investment bank said it and other investors would add $3 billion to the fund.

Separately, the Federal Reserve today added more money into the financial system, providing $2 billion in loans in an effort to help calm the markets.

Financial stocks were a drag on the market today. Countrywide Financial, the nations largest mortgage lender, closed at $26.61, down 4 percent, and Fannie Mae was off 3.5 percent at $64.12.

Technology equipment and telecommunications stocks were among the strongest performers. EMC, the data storage company, was up 7.5 percent to $19.05 ahead of the initial public offering of its VMware unit this week. Hewlett-Packard gained 2.6 percent to $48.43, and Sprint Nextel was up 3.4 percent at $19.49.

In Europe today, stock indexes in Paris and Frankfurt finished about 2 percent higher, and British stocks were up almost 3 percent.

The days tone was set in Asia, where some of the regions biggest markets sprang back today after a slide last Friday. They were helped by the slight recovery in American markets after the close of Asian markets late last Friday.

Australias benchmark index gained 1.3 percent and South Koreas main index rose 1.6 percent.

Reflecting some of the inverse logic that seems to govern markets of late, Japans Nikkei 225 Stock Average index closed slightly higher on news that the countrys economic growth was slowing, and that the central bank had lent an additional $5 billion to banks to ensure adequate funds in the money market.

Central banks from Australia to the United States made similar loans today. The European Central Bank added $65.3 billion to the markets today.

Last week, concerns about growing losses in the ailing market for subprime mortgages in the United States prompted many investors in Asia to take funds out of any investments that were considered relatively risky, either because they involved emerging markets or because they were tied to high levels of debt.

The recovery today encouraged some analysts to sound a note of optimism. They pointed to a growing awareness that Asia is still flush with funds and doesnt suffer from the same reliance on debt as investors do in Europe and the United States.

The worst of its behind us in Asian markets, said Adrian Mowat, a strategist at J.P. Morgan in Hong Kong. Asian monetary systems have been relatively flush with cash and growth here is typically being funded by earnings  household and corporate, rather than debt funding.

Others, however, warned that more surprises could be in store for the region and that todays recovery might in retrospect be only a temporary respite.

We think the volatility will continue for a while, said Hans Goetti, head of research strategy at Citi Private Bank in Singapore.

There was, therefore, still an air of uncertainty in Asia today, analysts said, with investors selling stocks in some smaller markets and buying stocks in larger economies, especially financial and commodity-related stocks that had been pushed down last week.

As information flows out, people are waiting to see what happens next, said Rahul Malhotra, managing director for private banking in the Middle East and Pacific Rim at Merrill Lynch in Singapore.

Merrills advice to its clients, Mr. Malhotra said, was not to join the panic selling, advice he said that most appeared to be taking.
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It's about: On Wall Street, the week got off to an unremarkable start with stocks finishing the day not far from where they closed on Friday.


Q: 'I am an original young man'

Editor's note: In the Human Factor, we profile survivors who have overcome the odds. Confronting a life obstacle -- injury, illness or other hardship -- they tapped their inner strength and found resilience they didn't know they possessed. This week we meet Landon Weeks, 17, who was born with a congenital birth defect called phocomelia, which causes limbs to be so short that hands and feet are very close to the body. Weeks' upper extremities are affected, but he hasn't let it slow him down.

(CNN) -- February 29 is a birthday that suits me well. It is a unique day, and I am an original young man.

I have never met anyone with upper extremities like me. I have seen others with variations of my condition, but my arms seem to be different from any others that I have seen.

My physical differences from other people are obvious. As long as I can remember, I have been unable to avoid the stares of strangers who see me for the first time.

I have had a great time joking with young children who are fascinated with my appearance. They can't resist innocent questions about the location of my arms. I have made up stories about my arms being eaten by sharks or being abducted by aliens.

As a young child, I had difficulty crawling, and so I learned to move by scooting across the floor in a seated position. Once I started walking, my parents worried about me because every time I fell, I would hit my forehead on the ground. They quickly remedied this problem by finding a protective helmet for me to wear as I would run around. I remember wearing this helmet at every recess period throughout my early school years.

At times, my physical problems have discouraged me, but in retrospect, I am grateful for this challenge. I have found that throughout my life, so many people have been kind, generous and sweet to me. Many people have gone out of their way to help and encourage me, and many opportunities have come to me as a result of my differences.

I have been taught and loved by countless teachers, friends, neighbors, church members and scout leaders. I believe that God has given all of us challenges to overcome, and mine are just more visible than the trials faced by others. I also believe that along with weaknesses and challenges, God also blesses us with talents.

I have had a supportive family that has treated me with love and reassurance. They have helped me develop my talents.

I have learned to do things that seemed impossible. I have excellent penmanship. I have played competitive soccer and basketball. I can dribble, shoot three-pointers and scuba dive. I can ride a recumbent bicycle, and I am an excellent driver (except for running into a snowbank after a winter storm this year.)

Following the example of my brothers, I became an Eagle Scout, and then, after persevering for many years, I earned every merit badge offered by the Boy Scouts of America.

I have been enamored with the study of music. At age 11, I was determined to learn to play the piano like my brothers. I was led to a wonderful piano teacher who had been a concert pianist but was involved in an accident that left her partially paralyzed and able to play with only two fingers. She recognized my potential talent and continues to encourage me.

I recently realized that I also have a vocal talent and have completely enjoyed participating in many community, church and school choirs. I have had many outstanding choir directors who have given me opportunities to excel. I was even able to sing and dance in my school's "High School Musical" production.

Sharing my musical talent with others has been an amazing experience for me. I love to perform, and I am grateful to find many who enjoy listening to my music. I am hopeful that I can continue to develop my talents and that with God's help, I can reach my potential and will be able to inspire others to achieve their dreams.

A:

assistant: Landon Weeks says he's learned to do the seemingly impossible, despite his physical challenges.