Stocks Mixed; Down For Week

Goldman Sachs rises, Pfizer falls

(NEWSER) - The stock market indices swung back and forth across a narrow range today as financials enjoyed advances but the health care sector declined, the Wall Street Journal reports. Goldman Sachs was up 3.69% after Bank of American Merrill Lynch upgraded Goldman shares from “neutral” to “buy.” Pfizer fell 2.19%. The Dow closed up 54.76 at 8,183.17, the Nasdaq gained 5.38, closing at 1,752.55, and the S&P 500 rose 3.12 to settle at 882.68. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets edged up today on good unemployment claims and productivity data, the Wall Street Journal reports. But traders appear to be holding out for tomorrow’s employment report, and the rising price of oil continues to worry. “We have to hope it doesn't go to $80,” one trader said. “It was energy that definitely exacerbated things last summer.” The Dow was up 74.96 to 8,750.24. The S&P tacked on 10.70, ending at 942.26. And NASDAQ rose 24.10 to 1,850.02. More»

Investors nervous ahead of Friday's December employment report

(NEWSER) - Stocks piled on after this morning’s losses, with investors shaken by a grim jobs report and news of layoffs and slashed forecasts at Alcoa and Intel. Crude plunged $5.95, to $43.01 a barrel, after inventories rose more than forecast, MarketWatch reports. The Dow fell 245.40 to close at 8,769.70. The Nasdaq dropped 53.32 to 1,599.06, and the S&P 500 closed down 28.05 at 906.65. More»

Stocks fall on poor earnings, more job cuts

(NEWSER) - Stocks turned lower as jubilation over the Fed’s rate cut yesterday died down and concerns about the slumping economy returned today, the Wall Street Journal reports. Losses by Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs dragged financials lower. The Dow closed down 99.80 at 8,824.34. The Nasdaq fell 10.58 to close at 1,579.31, and the S&P 500 lost 8.76 to settle at 904.42. More»

Worrisome news on retail, jobs sink stocks

(NEWSER) - Stocks added to yesterday’s deep declines with the major indices registering falls of 4%-5% today, MarketWatch reports. A string of poor retail reports soured confidence ahead of tomorrow’s October unemployment report, expected to be grim. The Dow fell 443.48, dropping below the 9,000 mark to 8,695.79. The Nasdaq lost 72.94 to 1,608.70, and the S&P 500 shed 47.89 to settle at 904.88. More»