Stocks Mixed as Oil Pulls Back

Markets continue 7th day of wild variations

(NEWSER) - Stocks seesawed today as good economic data on industry and the housing sector drove big early gains, which then fell victim to selloffs in the financial sector, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow climbed 76.71 points to close at 9,789.44.
• Nasdaq tacked on 4.09 to end at 2,049.20.
• The S&P gained 6.60 and wound up at 1,042.88.

Market soars as investment profits give bank strong 3rd quarter

(AP) - JPMorgan Chase reported strong third-quarter earnings today as its thriving investment banking business more than offset rising consumer loan losses that the bank warned would continue. The company, the first of the big banks to report, showed a $3.59 billion profit, or 82 cents per share. But it also roughly doubled the amount of money it set aside for failed home and credit card loans in the quarter, saying credit losses would remain high "for the foreseeable future." More»

(NEWSER) - Markets were up today on a strong performance from the volatile financial sector and continued gains for health-care stocks, the Wall Street Journal reports. Investors are confident that President Obama's health reform will be whittled down, leaving room for industry profits. The Dow was up 58.42, to 8,555.60. The S&P rose 7.66 to end at 918.37, and the Nasdaq slipped 0.34 to 1,807.72. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets were mixed today as a perky health-care sector was held in check by poor performance in energy stocks and wariness over President Obama’s financial regulatory plan, the Wall Street Journal reports. Oil and commodities prices slipped as investors seemed to gird for a continued lull in consumer activity. The Dow was off 7.49, to 8,497.18. The S&P shed 1.26 to end at 910.71. And the Nasdaq rose 11.88 to 1,808.06. More»

(NEWSER) - Good news from the housing sector outweighed bank troubles today for Wall Street, the Journal reports. Manufacturer Alcoa tacked on 6%, and a housing-industry group said sales in April made the biggest jump in 8 years. Financials fell after more banks announced plans to pay back TARP loans through stock offerings. The Dow was up 19.43 to 8.740.87. The S&P gained 1.91, ending at 944.78. And the Nasdaq rose 8.12 to 1,836.80. More»