Rally Fizzles on Inflation Fears

(NEWSER) - Stocks took a turn for the worse at the open today, heading south after yesterday’s rally. The Dow fell 67 points, while the S&P declined 0.8%. The Nasdaq fell 0.5%, but component Sun Microsystems soared 65% on news IBM might acquire it. Investors are anxiously awaiting guidance out of today's Fed meeting, even though the target rate’s unlikely to move. The consumer price index rose 0.4% last month, a bigger-than-expected jump. More»

Financials tumble despite solid report from Goldman Sachs

(NEWSER) - The markets fell today, led by plunging financials and bank stocks, despite a solid second-quarter report from Goldman Sachs. "There is a lack of clarity at every level of the financial system right now, from regulators to companies," a floor trader told the Wall Street Journal. The Dow fell 108.78 to 12,160.30, the Nasdaq 17.05 to 2,457.73, and the S&P 500 9.21 to 1,350.93. More»

Researcher: 'All the long-term indicators we look at are sending a bearish message'

(NEWSER) - The Dow plunged nearly 200 points today as markets were swamped by soaring oil prices and inflation fears. "All the long-term indicators we look at are sending a bearish message," an investment researcher told the Wall Street Journal. The Dow ended down 199.48 to 12,828.68, the Nasdaq down 23.83 to 2,492.26, and the S&P down 13.23 to 1,413.40. More»

Stocks end down thanks to nervous investors

(NEWSER) - News of today's Fed interest-rate cut swept away a market rally, and stocks ended down. Language in the Fed statement indicating that further trims were unlikely spooked investors, the Wall Street Journal reports, though that news was expected. The Dow ended down 11.81 to 12,820.13; the Nasdaq was off 13.30 to 2,412.80; and the S&P down 5.35 to 1,385.59. More»

But gas prices, at record highs, still worrisome

(NEWSER) - The core consumer price index stayed steady last month, rising just 0.2% and cooling worries about inflation. The overall CPI, which responds to fluctuating food and energy costs, climbed 0.4%, still well within the comfort zone. That's good news for the Fed, which held interest rates steady last week in hopes of targeting inflation. More»