For a first time since March, stock markets all over the world failed to make significant gains this week. The Dow Jones halted its recent period of growth, slipping just about 2.3%, closing at 8268.6 points. The S&P 500 shared a similar fate, dropping 3.3% and closing on Friday at 883.28 points. This was despite an announced 1 point rise in US consumer confidence. Across the ocean, the FTSE 100 followed suit, falling almost 2.5% this week to a 4341.7 close. In Athens, the general index also dropped, though only marginally, closing at 2146.15 points, losing 0.5% for the week.