By | May 25 2010 8:06 PM

US equity markets were able to return near neutral levels despite stocks being sold heavily earlier in the session. The Dow was losing as much as 300 points from the highs of the day as European hardships remained front and center of investors’ minds however was able to pare losses to close 0.2 percent lower. However, European equity markets continued to suffer as traders pondered a potential return to recession despite stronger economic feedback from the Euro region. Euro-zone Industrial orders outstripped expectations to rise 5.2 percent against the expected 2.3 percent representing annual growth of 19.8 percent.