Stocks Bounce, Dow Up 150

Financial sector celebrates relaxation of mark-to-market accounting rules

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied today to a strong finish as global action to combat the financial crisis boosted confidence, the Wall Street Journal reports. The European Central Bank cut interest rates, and G20 tripled the lending budget of the International Monetary Fund to $750 billion. After going above 8,000, the Dow closed up 216.48 at 7,978.08. The Nasdaq gained 51.03 to 1,602.63, and the S&P 500 rose 23.30, closing at 834.38. More»

Banks, manufacturing weigh on blue-chip index

(NEWSER) - Stocks ended mixed today amid a slew of reports of declining earnings and slashed forecasts, the Wall Street Journal reports. Bank shares and manufacturers like Boeing, 3M, and GM led the Dow’s decliners, pushing the index down 64.11 to close at 7,936.75. Tech stocks saw modest gains, and the Nasdaq rose 18.01, settling at 1,494.43. The S&P 500 fell 0.45, closing at 825.43. More»

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.

China reports big 56% jump in imports from year-ago

(NEWSER) - The markets were mixed today as traders awaited the launch of quarterly earnings season, which began after the bell. Dow component Caterpillar gained on trade figures from China, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 45.80 points to close at 10,663.99.
• The Nasdaq lost 4.76, settling at 2,312.41.
• The S&P 500 gained 2.00, closing at 1,146.98.

Mining giants Bucyrus, Terex to merge

(NEWSER) - Stocks saw broad gains today as analysts upgraded blue chips Alcoa and Intel and big mergers were announced in the mining and health-care sectors, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 85.25 points to close at 10,414.14.
• The Nasdaq added 25.97, ending the session at 2,237.66.
• The S&P 500 gained 11.58 to settle at 1,114.05.