Since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Tuesday, economic stress has been felt worldwide.

U.S. stock exchanges are scheduled to be opened for trading on Monday morning at 9:30, but many are wondering what to expect.

Donna Majauskas, an investment representative for Edward Jones, 1200 Michigan Ave., said she doesn’t know what is going to happen.

“The market drops because the market doesn’t like instability, it likes stability,” he said.

Majauskas said although lost lives are more important than money, many clients are worried about their financial futures.

“You need to communicate with your broker or your investor, so when times like this happen you are comfortable with what is going to happen,” she said.

Charles Ballard, an MSU economics professor, said it is common for the stock market to fall after catastrophes.

During past crises, the market has dropped and then risen six months later.

“I think the most likely outcome is there will be some drop although you never can be absolutely certain about these things,” he said.

But Ballard said because historical experience only gives a partial picture, he advises investors to keep a cool head.

“Panicking is almost always a bad strategy, in fact I think if you steady your nerves and wait for the market to go down you might be able to pick up some bargains,” he said.

Lyle Schonberger, director of research for H & R Block Financial Advisors in Detroit, said any movement will be minimal because of the off-days.

Markets in Europe and Asia reacted fast, dropping 5 to 10 percent, Schonberger said.

Vic Loomis, senior vice president and senior lender for National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois, said there are two possible outcomes.

“If everybody rushes in to sell (Monday morning) then values will drop, but if everyone rushes in to buy they could soar,” Loomis, an East Lansing City Council candidate who is chairman of the city’s Downtown Development Authority, said.

There has been some economic activity since the attack, though.

“There’s been limited bond trading today but the equity market will have been closed for three days by then and there’s no telling,” he said.

But Loomis said he thinks it will be business as usual on Monday.

“It will be interesting what happens,” he said. “Maybe I’m just being overly optimistic but I don’t think it will be a huge issue.”

John W. Young, branch owner of American Investment Services Inc., 2433 Haslett Road, said the economy will bounce back from the recent hardships.

“I just think it’s strengthened the country’s resolve and the country’s outlook on investments,” he said.

Young said when the market opens, there may be some volatility, but eventually life will go back to normal.

“An American tragedy, and they make us stronger and the spirit of democracy and capitalism is going to move ahead,” he said. “Over the long haul it is not going to destroy the markets, so don’t pull your stocks.”

Some investment companies have faith clients will remain calm and ride out the uncertainty.

James Carter, branch manager at A.G. Edwards, 3965 Okemos Road in Okemos, said he feels people are staying calm.

“There’s a real pulling together of the American people, they’re shaken but not broken,” he said.

Carter said the equity market reflects the thing that makes it up - people.

“Most of our clients have been pleasantly calm,” he said. “They say they’re not going to sell into a shaky market but dig in their heels and hold on.”

Staff writer Sara Luneburg contributed to this report.