On Mixed News, Modest Gains

Fannie, Freddie continue to sink; regional banks hit hard

(NEWSER) - The markets ended mixed today after a seesaw session. An $8 decline in crude encouraged investors, but concerns about the fate of the mortgage GSEs and regional banks persisted, MarketWatch reports. The Dow ended down 93.39 at 10,961.80, the first time in over 2 years the average has closed below 11,000. The Nasdaq gained 2.84 to close at 2,215.71, and the S&P 500 fell 13.39 to 1,214.91. More»

Freddie Mac sees shares rise 122% on earnings

(NEWSER) - Stocks wavered on the heels of last week’s rally, closing slightly lower as investors wait for comments from the Fed, the Wall Street Journal reports. Federal Reserve policy makers will conclude a 2-day meeting on Wednesday and perhaps issue a new assessment of the economic recovery. Despite a broad decline, Freddie Mac soared 128% after reporting strong earnings. The Dow closed 32 points lower at 9,338. The Nasdaq lost 8 points, closing at 1,992, and the S&P 500 shed 3 points to settle at 1,007. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks headed higher at the open today, after a pair of promising economic reports. The Dow added 75 points, while the Nasdaq and S&P rose 1.1% and 1% respectively. Durable goods orders rose 1.9% last month, and new jobless claims fell 13,000 last week; both numbers beat analyst estimates. Trading was halted on GM shares, after bondholders struck a new deal with the company. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks posted modest gains today amid light holiday trading, the Wall Street Journal reports. Drops were reported in orders for durable goods and consumer spending, but they were smaller than expected. The Dow closed up 48.99 points at 8,468. The Nasdaq gained 3.36 points to settle at 1,525, and the S&P 500 rose 4.99 to 868. More»

Persistent worries about the non-financial economy temper gains

(NEWSER) - US stocks rallied as traders bet the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would help the economy recover, but lost some of those gains—with the Nasdaq even flirting with losses—as the day wore on, MarketWatch reports. Nonetheless, the Dow gained 289.78, closing at 11,510.74. The Nasdaq closed up 13.88, at 2,269.76, while the S&P 500 rose 25.48 to finish at 1,267.79. More»