Blue Chips Hop Slightly on Fed Confidence

(NEWSER) - Markets rose significantly today on indications of a turnaround in the housing sector, the Wall Street Journal reports, with an industry confidence metric at its highest since September 2008. Financials—Bank of America was up 9.8%—led the S&P to a symbolic close above 900. The Dow was up 235.44 to 8,504.08. The S&P rose 26.83 to 909.70. And the Nasdaq gained 52.22, ending at 1,732.36. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks headed higher at today’s open, following a week of profit-taking that left the Dow and S&P down 3.6% and 5% respectively. The Dow was up 107 points, while the Nasdaq added 1.2% and the S&P 1.4%, including a 3% surge in financials. Lowe's soared 11% after reporting a smaller-than-expected dip in earnings, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks slid at the open, as Citigroup slashed jobs and retailers reported yet more disappointing results. The Dow lost 160 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq dropped 1.8% and 1.5% respectively. Among the big drops were Target and Lowe’s, which each took a 24% hit to their third-quarter nets. Target shares dipped 3%, while Lowe's plunged 34%. More»

Markets rack up more losses despite bill's passage

(NEWSER) - Investors were feeling finicky today, pushing stocks higher by 300 points after the House approved the revised $700 billion bailout, then reversing the gains and moving the major indices to sharp weekly losses, MarketWatch says. The Dow dropped 157.15 to 10,325.70. The Nasdaq lost 29.33, finishing at 1,947.39, and the S&P fared no better, losing 15.05 to 1,099.23. More»

Dow up 140

(NEWSER) - Stocks surged at the opening bell this morning, as traders registered approval of the central banks’ move to inject $360 billion into global money markets. The Dow jumped 118 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq rose 1.6% and 2% respectively. “These joint interventions are welcomed by the market, showing the Fed is trying to solve the logjam,” said one economist. More»