Triple digit days on the DJIA were unusual once - but no more. After a positive open this morning, the markets traded slowly but surely downward all day. The Euro strengthened this morning, but then began sliding back; this strengthened the dollar and appeared to start the selling on Wall Street. RUT closed down $13 at $683 and the SPX closed at $1121, down $16. Trading volume was flat to slightly increased with a 7% increase on the NYSE, but only a 1% rise on the NASDAQ. The stocks of the S&P 500 traded about 5 billion shares, about flat from the last couple of days and slightly above the 50 day moving average. Today's economic news was generally positive with April's housing starts at 672k, up from March's 635k; but April's building permits dropped from 685k to 606k. April's Producer Price Index (PPI) declined 0.1%, alleviating some of the inflation fears generated last month with the 0.7% increase. But concerns of a growing sovereign debt crisis in Europe and the possible effects on global financial institutions appeared to drive the markets lower.

My condor positions are continuing pretty much as they were. The May position is trimming its losses but the put spreads will have to be closed soon; position delta has increased to +$192 with theta = +$833. The June position is in excellent shape with delta = +$14 and theta = +$85.