Swine flu bug bites markets as risk of pandemic metaphors spikes

Stocks fell today as investors fretted over the impact of a possible influenza pandemic, all but guaranteeing we'll all be subjected to headlines along the lines of "Mexico Sneezes, Markets Catch Swine Flu" for as long as the contagion continues to spread. Airlines, cruise ship operators, credit card issuers and hotel chains all saw their shares punished on as the fear of both over-extended metaphors and further infection mounts.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 51 points, 0.64 percent, to 8,025. For more information on stocks making news today, be sure to check out BloggingStocks' market wrap-up.