Dow Up 153 in Strong Q2 Start

April employment report is next key metric for investors

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed moderately higher today after a seesaw session with light trading volume, the Wall Street Journal reports. After a strong April, investors are trying to predict how a recovery—or the lack of one—will play out, and are anticipating ADP’s April employment report, due next week. Manufacturing activity rose in April, according to ISM, but the industry is still contracting. The Dow gained 44.29 points to close at 8,212.41. The Nasdaq added 1.90, closing at 1,719.20, and the S&P 500 rose 4.71 to 877.52. More»

Oil futures end a four-day rally

(NEWSER) - Stocks failed to hold on to session highs but made gains today amid a series of dismal, if not unexpected, economic reports. Oil futures ended a four-day rally, falling $0.23 to $48.59 a barrel after briefly topping $50, Marketwatch reports. The Dow added 62.21 points to close at 9,015. The Nasdaq closed up 24.35 points at 1,652, while the S&P 500 gained 7.24 points, settling at 935. More»

Manufacturing rises, but it's likely a mirage

(NEWSER) - Stocks seesawed to losses today as investors absorbed bad retailer reports and news that Japan’s economy had entered a recession, MarketWatch reports. The Dow fell 223.73 to close at 8,273.58. The Nasdaq lost 34.80, closing at 1,482.05, while the S&P 500 shed 22.54 to settle at 850.75. More»

Manufacturing employment rises

(NEWSER) - News of Prudential's agreement to buy AIG's Asia division sowed confidence on Wall Street today. Stocks rose, boosted as well by a jump in manufacturing employment, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 78.53 points to close at 10,403.79.
• The Nasdaq added 35.31, closing at 2,273.57.
• The S&P 500 gained 11.22 to settle at 1,115.71.

Dow off 170 midday on European credit woes

(NEWSER) - Stocks regained their opening levels after severe losses that saw the Dow off 170 points at midday today. Despite better-than-expected US employment figures, worries about the creditworthiness of some troubled European nations exerted downward pressure on stocks, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow Jones closed up 10.05 points at 10,012.23.
• The Nasdaq gained 15.69 to close at 2,141.12.
• The S&P 500 added 3.07 to settle at 1,066.18.