Building stocks and the major markets took a hit this month as oil prices jumped to record highs. Hurricane Katrina devastated petroleum refineries and the uncertainty of the storm's effects forced markets downward. "The president of the Philly Fed is saying the Fed has to adapt to changing circumstances," said Todd Leone, managing director of equity trading at SG Cowen Securities. "With what's going on in New Orleans, I don't think the Fed can raise rates." Despite this news and word that the government plans to release some oil from its reserves, the growing tragedy in the hurricane's wake took its toll on Wall Street.

The HousingZone.com/GIANTS Builders' and Product Manufacturers' Indicies fled south along with the national indices to end the month of August in the red. The Builders' Index lost 112.86 points, or 7.75 percent, to end at 1343.44. Declining issues surpassed advancing issues by a count of 28 to 8. On the Product Manufacturers' side, the index shed 35.04 points to close at 950.83. Declining issues outpaced advancing issues by a 10-to-4 count. For the complete list of Builders' and Building Product Manufacturers' indicies, visit www.HousingZone.com/economics.