Specialist Christopher Culhane works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Stocks opened sharply lower Friday on Wall Street after Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives called off a vote on tax rates and left federal budget talks in disarray 10 days before sweeping tax increases and government spending cuts take effect. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Joseph Lawler, left, and specialist Jay Woods work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Stocks opened sharply lower Friday on Wall Street after House Republicans called off a vote on tax rates and left federal budget talks in disarray 10 days before sweeping tax increases and government spending cuts take effect. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange observe a minute of silence before the opening bell in honor of Sandy Hook Elementary School victims and their families, Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Stocks opened sharply lower Friday on Wall Street after House Republicans called off a vote on tax rates and left federal budget talks in disarray 10 days before sweeping tax increases and government spending cuts take effect. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Specialist Henry Becker, right, works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Stocks opened sharply lower Friday on Wall Street after House Republicans called off a vote on tax rates and left federal budget talks in disarray 10 days before sweeping tax increases and government spending cuts take effect. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Specialist Jason Hardzewic, left, and trader Ryan Falvey work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Stocks opened sharply lower Friday on Wall Street after House Republicans called off a vote on tax rates and left federal budget talks in disarray 10 days before sweeping tax increases and government spending cuts take effect. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Trader Joseph Chirico, center, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Stocks opened sharply lower Friday on Wall Street after House Republicans called off a vote on tax rates and left federal budget talks in disarray 10 days before sweeping tax increases and government spending cuts take effect. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Specialist Todd Abrahall, center, works with traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Stocks opened sharply lower Friday on Wall Street after House Republicans called off a vote on tax rates and left federal budget talks in disarray 10 days before sweeping tax increases and government spending cuts take effect. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Stocks opened sharply lower Friday on Wall Street after House Republicans called off a vote on tax rates and left federal budget talks in disarray 10 days before sweeping tax increases and government spending cuts take effect. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)