Dow Drops 32; Crude Rises

A profit warning from Chevron highlights problems in the energy sector

(NEWSER) - The major stock indices finished mixed today, with the Dow trending down after Chevron issued a profit warning, the Wall Street Journal reports. Chevron was down 2.7% on news that a weak dollar and poor profits at refineries will cut into its second-quarter earnings. Exxon also fell 1.3%. The Dow dropped 36.65 points to close at 8,146.52. The Nasdaq rose 3.48, settling at 1,756.03, and the S&P 500 fell 3.55 to close at 879.13. More»

Low-volume session sees modest advances in energy, financials

(NEWSER) - Stocks enjoyed modest gains today as a jump in oil prices lifted energy firms, the Wall Street Journal reports. Crude futures rose $2.33, to $71.49 a barrel; Exxon shares gained 2.39%. Financials also saw advances, led by Sallie Mae, which jumped 8.2% on new government terms for student-loan pricing contracts. The Dow closed up 90.99 at 8,529.38. The Nasdaq rose 5.84, settling at 1,844.06, and the S&P 500 gained 8.33 to 927.23. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks jumped at the open today, with the Dow up 61 points, the Nasdaq adding 0.5%, and the S&P gaining 0.7%, powered by strong moves in its energy and basic materials sectors. That was due in part to the surge in fuel prices, with oil clearing $71 a barrel. Chevron and Exxon Mobil each rose 1%. Shares in industrial companies also climbed, with Caterpillar up 1.3%. If it holds, the Dow's move will put it in positive territory for the year. More»

Dow up 47; GM advances after GMAC decision

(NEWSER) - Stocks edged higher today on very thin post-holiday trading volume, with energy firms seeing a boost from crude-oil prices that broke a 4-day losing streak, MarketWatch reports. The Dow gained 47.07 to close at 8,515.55. The Nasdaq climbed 5.34, settling at 1,530.24, and the S&P 500 added 7.38 to close at 872.80. More»

Weak data, contract expirations stoke selloff

(NEWSER) - Stocks fell today as oil futures declined, the jobs picture remained grim, and two of the Detroit’s Big Three announced production stops due to lack of funds, MarketWatch reports. The imminent expiration of options and futures contracts also bedeviled the markets, and the Dow closed down 219.35 at 8,604.99. The Nasdaq fell 26.94 to close at 1,552.37, and the S&P 500 19.14 to 885.28. More»