Stocks Sink on Weak Earnings, Soaring Oil

(NEWSER) - Stocks barely moved at today's open as traders awaited details on which banks would get approval to repay TARP funds, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow climbed less than 20 points; Procter & Gamble fell 1.4% after announcing its succession plans. The Nasdaq rose 0.6% and the S&P added 0.3%, with a 1% boost in its energy sector. Texas Instruments was up 6% after increasing its forecast, and Treasury note yields fell. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks headed higher at today's open as rallying commodity prices gave traders hope about the economy. The Dow rose 65 points, while the Nasdaq rose 0.8% and the S&P 1%. Oil prices topped $60 a barrel, sending Exxon and Chevron slightly higher. Bank of America, meanwhile, rose 6% after a $13.5 billion stock sale that generated half the capital the government has demanded it raise. And Target was up more than 5% after better-than-expected earnings. More»

(NEWSER) - A horrible housing report couldn’t hold stocks down at the open. The Dow rose 57 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq added 0.8% and 0.7% respectively, as investors digested a host of mixed earnings reports. Texas Instruments rose 4.4% after it announced a $107 million profit dip and 3,400 layoffs, while American Express jumped 8% after reporting a 79% drop in profits. More»

Mild drop as investors hold breath

(NEWSER) - Stocks dipped at the open today, as investors digested downbeat corporate news while awaiting an auto bailout. The Dow fell as much as 145; the Nasdaq and S&P were off 1.3% and 1.4%, respectively. Auto shares retreated after yesterday’s gains, the Wall Street Journal reports, with General Motors and Ford dropping 5.5% and 7.5%, respectively, on news the government would likely demand shares for its help. 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»