Earnings, Subprimes Sink Stocks Dow falls 226.47 after lackluster reports, increased negativity By Greg Atwan Posted Jul 24, 2007 3:59 PM CDT Copied Grill in this Jan. 22, 2007 file photo in Baltimore. American Express Co. is expected to release quarterly earnings on Monday, July 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner, file) (Associated Press) The Dow slid 226.47—nearly 2%—back to 13716.95 today, after mediocre earnings reports helped deflate a giddy mood and remind traders of persistent woes from the subprime sector. American Express reported lower-than-expected second-quarter earnings dampened by higher marketing costs; DuPont also released disappointing numbers. The Nasdaq dropped 50.72 to 2639.86, and the S&P closed at 1511.04, down 30.53. A major trader told the Journal that the poor reports accounted for the unusual off day, but confessed that much of the negativity on Wall St. was "just feeding off the whole subprime scenario": lender Countywide sank 11% today after dismal earnings. Read These Next Driver who killed Dixie Chicks founder hears his fate. Bill Gates apologized to his staff, spoke of his affairs. Home Improvement actor is going to jail for more than a year. Charging his phone in a snow-covered car was a fatal mistake. Report an error