Dow Watch: Another Gloomy Day

(At 4:23 p.m. EDT)

The Dow put up a valiant fight, but once again the blue chip average finished in negative territory Tuesday.

A decline of only 16 points is a lot easier for the bulls to swallow than the 200-point drop from Monday, but it still leaves investors to wonder whether the market is in correction mode or whether this is part of a pullback that represents a solid buying opportunity.

In all honesty, I have no clue. Bulls will argue the fact that the Dow hung in there today -- and even spent some of the session in positive territory -- as a positive. Bears will certainly welcome a third straight day of declines. Wednesday's session, which will bring the latest decision on interest rates from the Federal Reserve, becomes even more interesting now. ...