US stockmarket returns diverged in another volatile month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.2%, but the broader S&P 500 index fell by 0.4% (£, total return). The technology-orientated Nasdaq and smaller companies Russell 2000 indices climbed by 0.4% (£, price only) and 0.5% (£, total return), respectively.The major story was the near-collapse of investment bank Bear Stearns as a result of running out of liquidity as counterparties withdrew shortterm lending. Bear Stearns was subsequently purchased by commercial bank JP Morgan Chase at a low price, with the help of financing from the US Federal Reserve (Fed).