Mixed Day Yields Mixed Results

Oil surges past $140 as dollar weakens, financials downgraded

(NEWSER) - Stocks plunged today due to the convergence of bad news across all sectors of industry against the backdrop of oil’s first surge over $140 a barrel, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow plummeted to a 2-year-low, shedding 358.41 to 11,453.42. The Nasdaq fell 79.89, settling at 2,321.37, and the S&P 500 fell 38.82 to close at 1,283.15. More»

But oil trades at $123.69, limiting rally

(NEWSER) - The markets achieved solid gains today as better-than-expected sales from big-box discount retailers encouraged investors worried over oil prices still in record territory, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow gained 52.43 to close at 12,866.78, while the Nasdaq rose 12.75 to 2,451.24. The S&P 500 rose 5.11, settling at 1,397.68. More»

Crude shatters record price; recession fears prevail

(NEWSER) - US stocks fell today for a third consecutive day as fears of recession continued to spread, MarketWatch reports. With Ambac’s revival uncertain and Countrywide facing a possible securities fraud probe, shares of both financial giants plummeted, pressuring the overall market downward. The Dow lost 153.54 to close at 11,740.15, the Nasdaq dropped 43.15 to 2,169.34, and the S&P 500 fell 20.00 to 1,273.37. More»

Huge AIG, Dell losses spark sell-off

(NEWSER) - The Dow lost an incredible 315.79 points today to close at 12,266.39 as AIG reported the biggest losses in its history and bellwether Dell reported a year-over-year fourth-quarter profit decline of 6%. The Nasdaq slipped 60.09 to 2,271.48, and the S&P 500 lost 37.04 to close at 1,330.64. More»

Jobs rally undercut by, dollar boom, sinking commodities

(NEWSER) - Stocks posted modest gains today after a morning rally off an unexpectedly strong jobs report. The surge lost steam when a rise in the dollar sapped commodity stocks, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 22.75 points to close at 10,388.90.
• The Nasdaq added 21.21, settling at 2,194.35.
• The S&P 500 gained 6.06, closing at 1,105.98.