Dow Off 149, Down 8.8% for Month

Amazon, Microsoft fall after weak earnings

(NEWSER) - The tech sector exerted downward pressure on stocks today, snapping the Nasdaq’s 12-day winning streak, the Wall Street Journal reports. Microsoft sank 8.9% after reporting a 29% drop in quarterly earnings, while Amazon fell 8.3% after also reporting a disappointing quarter. Alcoa, Pfizer, and Merck helped the Dow climb with modest advances. The Dow gained 23.95 points to close at 9,093.24. The Nasdaq lost 7.64, settling at 1,965.96, and the S&P 500 added 2.97, closing at 979.26. More»

Investors await stress tests results

(NEWSER) - A poor earnings report and forecast from Cisco led stocks down today, the Wall Street Journal writes. The networking giant, considered an indicator of the tech sector’s general health, noted a 17% drop in revenue, and projected bigger losses for next quarter. The Dow closed down 102.43 at 8,409.85. The Nasdaq lost 42.86 to close at 1,716.24, and the S&P 500 dropped 12.14, settling at 907.39. More»

GDP grows 5.9% in last quarter of 2009

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed out February by nudging into positive territory as investors weighed the news that GDP grew by 5.9% last quarter but existing-home sales plunged, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 4.23 points to close at 10,325.26.
• The Nasdaq added 4.04, settling at 2,238.26.
• The S&P 500 rose 1.56 to settle at 1,104.49.

China moves to tighten lending; tech proves resilient

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed mixed today as China's move to restrict lending and a low reading of EU GDP stoked worries about global economic health, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow dropped 45.05 points to close at 10,099.14.
• The Nasdaq gained 6.12, closing at 2,183.53.
• The S&P 500 fell 32.96 to settle at 1,075.51.

Microsoft falls 4.5% despite strong profits

(NEWSER) - Stocks saw losses today as investors proved unmoved by the striking 5.7% jump in GDP for the second quarter. Microsoft led a broad decline in tech stocks despite reporting strong growth in quarterly profits, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow fell 53.13 points to close at 10,067.33.
• The Nasdaq lost 31.65, closing at 2,147.35.
• The S&P 500 dropped 10.66 to settle at 1,073.87.