Stocks End Mixed After Bear Scare

Updated from 4:09 p.m. EDT

Stocks in the U.S. endured a chaotic session and ended mixed Monday, as the major averages rebounded from the early panic that ripped through the market following the swift downfall of Bear Stearns (BSC Quote).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, down nearly 200 points in the morning, rallied to go positive. At the close, it was up 21.16 points, or 0.2%, at 11,972.25, aided by a 10.3% jump in JPMorgan Chase (JPM Quote), which agreed to buy Bear Stearns at a fire-sale price.

The broader averages closed with losses, but they had been deeper in the red. The S&P 500 was down 11.54 points, or 0.9%, at 1276.60, and the Nasdaq was off 35.48 points, or 1.6%, at 2177.01. ...