MarketWatch: U.S. stocks plunge as economic worries grow

U.S. stocks sold off for a third straight day on Thursday, with the Dow sinking to a 10-month low in its worst day since Nov. 7, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke about the country's economic trouble and a regional measure of economic activity contracted.

"When reminded about how bad things are, the market remembers it should go down," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Jefferies & Co.

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Fed factor

Bernanke on Thursday told Congress that lawmakers could help steer the economy away from recession if they adopt an efficient and temporary stimulus plan.