The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> slid to its lowest level in six years on Thursday as stocks tumbled on mounting concerns about the fate of major banks and signs that the recession is deepening.

The 30-stock blue-chip gauge fell as to 7,447.55, breaking through the November 21 bear market intraday low to levels not seen since March 2003.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 73.19 points, or 0.97 percent, at 7,482.44. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 7.42 points, or 0.94 percent, at 781.00. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 19.88 points, or 1.35 percent, at 1,448.09.

(Reporting by Ellis Mnyandu; Editing by Leslie Adler)