But they have thrown a cloud over Wall Street generally--along with the economic slowdown and the bursting of the high-tech bubble.

FORBES: The Tiny SEC Grows

When Wachovia, for instance, announced its profit decline earlier this month, it said the deal flow has slowed and investors are skittish in the face of liquidity challenges - which means, until it becomes clearer how deep these losses have been, there's going to be sort of a cloud hanging over Wall Street, and also over the economy as a whole because this affects the housing market.

NPR: Bank of America Reels from Unrest in Credit Market

The storm boiled above the Indian ocean, a dark, bristling wall of cloud, blocking our passage west.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Skybreaker'