Stocks Send Mixed Messages

Industries likely to benefit from Obama building plan see gains

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied today, led by automakers, which look ever likelier to get a federal bailout, and industrial firms expected to benefit from President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed public-works programs, MarketWatch reports. The Dow gained 298.76 to close at 8,934.18. The Nasdaq rose 62.43, closing at 1,571.74, while the S&P 500 climbed 33.63 to settle at 909.70. More»

Downbeat session kicks off August

(NEWSER) - Stocks fell today as investors absorbed a slate of poor earnings reports and glum but not awful economic reports. Crude rose $1.02 a barrel, and shares in every sector other than energy fell, MarketWatch reports. The Dow dropped 51.70 to 11,326.32, the Nasdaq shed 14.59 to close at 2,310.96, and the S&P 500 fell 7.07 to 1,260.31. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets were off today on falling oil prices and a poor showing from the financial industry, the Wall Street Journal reports. The S&P energy index fell 2.4% and Bank of America, Pfizer, and Wal-Mart also saw declines. General Motors, whose low share price no longer significantly affects markets, was off 4%. The Dow was down 62.68, to 8,268.64. The S&P 500 slumped 10.19, to 882.88. And the Nasdaq finished down 9.07 at 1,680.14. More»

(NEWSER) - Financials dipped today as firms continued stock sell-offs to finance TARP repayments, but strong performance by drug and energy companies stabilized the market, the Wall Street Journal reports. Merck and Pfizer were up as much as 2% and 6%, respectively; oil got a boost from $60 barrels. The Dow was up 50.34 to 8,469.11. The S&P fell 0.89 to 908.35 on bank concerns; the Nasdaq lost 15.32, ending at 1,715.92. More»

Investors hope yesterday's sell-off brings the market close to a floor

(NEWSER) - Stocks looked set for rallies several times during today’s session in the wake of yesterday’s sell-off, but closed with mild losses, the Wall Street Journal reports. Shares of General Motors and Ford fell after both reported declining sales for February. The Dow fell 37.27 to close at 6,726.02. The Nasdaq shed 1.84, settling at 1,321.01, and the S&P 500 lost 4.49, closing at 696.33. More»