Stocks posted a fifth day of losses on Friday as the Dow Jones industrial average turned in its worst weekly performance since the Depression as last week's terrorist attacks fanned concerns the U.S. was headed into a full-blown recession.

The Dow closed down 140.40 points, or 1.68 percent, at 8235.81. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 47.74 points, or 3.25 percent, to close at 1423.19. The Dow lost more than 14 percent on the week, while
the Nasdaq shed 16 percent.

Nearly half of all Americans believe that a full-blown economic recession is imminent as a result of the terrorist attacks, according to the Conference Board, a private economic research group. Slightly over half of the 750 households polled said they believe last week's events will directly affect them economically.

Tech stocks slid as the outlook for a rebound in corporate spending continues to push further into the future. Shares of Intel slid $1.37
to $19.30 while shares in Cisco dropped 80 cents, or 6.21 percent, to $12.08.

Merrill Lynch analyst Henry Blodget reduced his earnings forecast for AOL Time Warner's fiscal 2001 and 2002 results, saying the advertising slump will be worse than he had forecast before the attacks. Despite this, the stock rose 43 cents to close the week at
$29.68.

Data storage company EMC warned it will not meet analyst expectations
for the third quarter and said it plans to cut 1,600 jobs. Its shares
dropped 12.76 percent, to $11.01.

On Thursday, Palm reported a loss for its recently completed quarter and reversed its outlook for a return to profitability during the current quarter. Its shares tumbled 17.67 percent to $1.77.