Stocks Plunge on Budget Fears : Taking a Plunge

Many Orange County stocks followed the market plunge on Monday. Companies with the largest percentage decrease in value:

Cortex Pharmaceuticals: -17.4%

Irvine Drug research, development

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Quality Systems: -11.5%

Tustin Computer systems

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WFS Financial: -10.7%

Irvine Auto loans

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Wonderware: -10.6%

Irvine Computer software

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Smartflex Systems: -9.5%

Tustin Electronic assembly products

List includes only stocks that sell above $2 per share.

Source: Bloomberg News Service

Researched by JANICE L. JONES

INSIDE:

Nearly two-thirds of the 113 companies on the Times’ index of Orange County stocks suffered losses Monday as the stock market took it biggest one-day hit in four years. The Times’ Bloomberg Orange County Index fell 1.8%, its biggest drop since Oct. 9. Volatile high-tech companies were among the hardest hit, but the list of wounded stocks included financial corporations and pharmaceutical firms. D1.