Up Day Still Means Down Week

But indices see big losses for September

(NEWSER) - Stocks surged toward the end of today’s session to recover much of yesterday’s losses, but still finished September down, the Wall Street Journal reports. The markets rallied on confidence that lawmakers would reach agreement on a bailout plan by week’s end, with the Dow up 485.21 at 10,850.66. The Nasdaq climbed 98.60 to 2,082.33, and the S&P 500 gained 58.35 to close at 1,164.74. More»

Bailout progress fails to inspire confidence in equities

(NEWSER) - Stocks fell sharply today as political progress on the bailout failed to encourage traders who were absorbing poor jobs and manufacturing data, MarketWatch reports. The Dow lost 348.22 and closed at 10,482.85, the Nasdaq shed 92.68 to 1,976.72, and the S&P 500 fell 46.78 to 1,114.28. More»

Biggest single-day drop in index's history

(NEWSER) - The Dow saw its biggest single-day drop ever today after the House rejected the financial bailout bill and adjourned until Thursday, MarketWatch reports. Equities and commodities were pounded equally as the Dow plunged 777.68 to close at 10,365.45 and oil fell $10.52, to $96.37 a barrel. The Nasdaq shed 199.61, closing at 1,983.73, while the S&P 500 lost 106.59 to settle at 1,106.42. More»

Poor housing, durable goods goods data don't deter market's optimism

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied this afternoon on news that lawmakers had reached a consensus on the Wall Street bailout plan, MarketWatch reports. Optimism proved infectious as GE rose 6.26% despite cutting an earnings estimate earlier today. The Dow climbed 196.89 points to 11,022.06. The Nasdaq gained 30.89 points, settling at 2,186.57, while the S&P 500 rose 23.31 points to close at 1,209.18. More»

GDP grows 5.9% in last quarter of 2009

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed out February by nudging into positive territory as investors weighed the news that GDP grew by 5.9% last quarter but existing-home sales plunged, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 4.23 points to close at 10,325.26.
• The Nasdaq added 4.04, settling at 2,238.26.
• The S&P 500 rose 1.56 to settle at 1,104.49.