Stocks Sink, Yet End Week Up

New consumer credit plan inspires confidence on the street

(NEWSER) - Stocks were mixed today, as enthusiasm over the Fed’s plan to get banks lending was tempered by a downward revision to third-quarter GDP and a drop in a home-price index, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow rose 36.47—its third consecutive up session—to 8,479.86. The Nasdaq fell 7.29 to settle at 1,464.73, while the S&P 500 rose 5.60, closing at 85741. More»

Investors see signs of gradually easing credit—and bargains, driving up market late

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied late in today’s volatile session, but stopped short of recovering yesterday’s sharp losses, rollercoastering through an 800-point range, MarketWatch reports. Crude oil futures fell $4.69, to about half of their record high in July, on a report that showed US inventories increasing. The Dow rose 401.35 to 8,979.26. The Nasdaq gained 89.38, closing at 1,717.71, and the S&P 500 climbed 38.59 to 946.43. More»

(NEWSER) - A positive report on consumer confidence gave stocks a boost today, despite poor numbers from the housing sector, the Wall Street Journal reports; financials and construction-related stocks jumped as much as 5%. Home prices, however, were down 19.1% from the first quarter of 2008. The Dow gained 196.17 to 8,473.49. The S&P was up 23.33 to 910.33. The Nasdaq tacked on 58.42, ending at 1,750.43. More»

Bad news in housing and predictions of recession sour stocks

(NEWSER) - Stocks plunged today on a spread of bad economic news, including signs that the housing market is not improving and dire predictions by the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate committee, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow fell 427.47 to close at 7,997.28. The Nasdaq lost 96.85, settling at 1,386.42, while the S&P 500 shed 52.54 to close at 806.58. More»

Indices up 3%-4% after remaining in positive territory for entire session

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied on Election Day as investors applauded the looming conclusion to the presidential race, the Wall Street Journal reports. Continuing declines in interbank lending, and strong third-quarter earnings reports also fueled optimism, with the Dow rising 305.45 to close at 9,625.28. The Nasdaq climbed 53.79 closing at 1,780.12, while the S&P 500 gained 39.45 to settle at 1,005.75. More»