For once, the financials helped prop up the Dow and prevent it from further losses. Only eight of the 30 stocks in the Dow finished green today, with AIG (+5.8%) and BAC (+3.8%) leading the way. It could have been an ugly day with Merck (-6.2%) getting shelled after cholesterol drug Vytorin didn’t prevent worsening of heart disease or lessen the need for surgery.