Oil, Earnings Woes Key Retreat

Good numbers from consumers make for bullish afternoon

(NEWSER) - Thanks to two pieces of unexpectedly good news today, the markets erased early losses, the Dow climbing 44.06 to 13,517.96 after dipping to almost 13,350 this morning. Retail sales in November increased 1.2%, twice what watchers had estimated. And wholesale prices had their biggest one-month jump since 1973, a 3.2% rise nearly doubling estimates, the Journal reports. Both numbers suggested economic strength. More»

Good vibes on mortgage deals steady markets

(NEWSER) - Bad news in the financial sector today meant the first bearish day for the market in five sessions, as Deutsche Bank’s negative prediction for fourth-quarter earnings pushed Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and Lehman Brothers downward. The Dow fell 57.15 to 13,314.57, the Nasdaq slid 23.83 to 2,637.13, and the S&P 500 lost 8.72 to close at 1,472.42. More»

Housing starts rise, but come in below expectations

(NEWSER) - Stocks posted small losses today as the modest rally of the last two weeks ran out of steam, the Wall Street Journal reports. Housing starts for August rose 1.5%, less than expected. FedEx shares dropped after the company reported a 53% drop in quarterly profit. The Dow fell 2 points to close at 9,790. The Nasdaq lost 6 points, settling at 2,127, and the S&P 500 dropped 3 points, to 1,065. More»

Crude oil tumbles $2.65

(NEWSER) - Stocks pulled back today after hitting their 2009 peaks in yesterday's session, the Wall Street Journal reports. Despite modest declines, transportation stocks—considered the first to benefit in a recovery—remained strong, with FedEx up 6.43%. Crude tumbled $2.65 to $69.20 a barrel. The Dow lost 22.07 points to close at 9,605.41. The Nasdaq fell 3.12, closing at 2,080.90, and the S&P 500 lost 1.41 to settle at 1,042.73. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks plunged at the open, as banks sold shares to raise capital, and consumer and commodity stocks took a pounding, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow was down 140, the Nasdaq down 1.8% and the S&P off 2.1. Oil producers were hit hard as crude fell blow $58 a barrel, while Bank of America and Morgan Stanley led financials south, falling 3% and 2% respectively. More»