Stocks Mixed; Commodities Fall

A profit warning from Chevron highlights problems in the energy sector

(NEWSER) - The major stock indices finished mixed today, with the Dow trending down after Chevron issued a profit warning, the Wall Street Journal reports. Chevron was down 2.7% on news that a weak dollar and poor profits at refineries will cut into its second-quarter earnings. Exxon also fell 1.3%. The Dow dropped 36.65 points to close at 8,146.52. The Nasdaq rose 3.48, settling at 1,756.03, and the S&P 500 fell 3.55 to close at 879.13. More»

Investors unwind bets ahead of 2nd-quarter earnings kickoff

(NEWSER) - Investors turned pessimistic ahead of the start of the second-quarter earnings season, initiating a broad sell-off that depressed the major indices, the Wall Street Journal reports. Oil fell another $1.12 to 62.43 a barrel, pushing energy stocks lower; the S&P 500’s energy sector was off 2.8%. The Dow closed down 161 points at 8,164. The Nasdaq lost 41 points to settle at 1,746, and the S&P 500 fell 18 points, closing at 881. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks jumped at the open today, with the Dow up 61 points, the Nasdaq adding 0.5%, and the S&P gaining 0.7%, powered by strong moves in its energy and basic materials sectors. That was due in part to the surge in fuel prices, with oil clearing $71 a barrel. Chevron and Exxon Mobil each rose 1%. Shares in industrial companies also climbed, with Caterpillar up 1.3%. If it holds, the Dow's move will put it in positive territory for the year. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks rebounded from yesterday's miserable day to close with mild gains, MarketWatch reports. Energy and industrial firms did well after yesterday's huge sell-off, but concerns about Lehman Brothers continued to weigh on the financial sector. The Dow closed up 38.19 points at 11,268.92, the Nasdaq rose 18.89 to 2,228.70, and the S&P 500 gained 7.53 to 1,232.04. More»

Georgian conflict raises supply fears; analysts downgrade financials

(NEWSER) - Stocks saw mixed results today as the Dow and S&P 500 managed to claw back from early losses due to surging oil and a weak dollar, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow closed up 12.78 at 11,430.21; the Nasdaq fell 8.70 to 2,380.38, while the S&P 500 gained 3.18 to finish at 1,277.72. More»