Stocks Drop on Retail, Auto Woes

(NEWSER) - Good earnings reports and stellar performance by General Electric had markets at 2009 highs for a time today, the Wall Street Journal reports. “We have gotten so close to the S&P 1,000 level, you just sort of sense that unless there’s a horrible GDP number tomorrow, we’re going to have to go up and challenge this thing,” a strategist says. The Dow was up 83.74 to 9,154.46. The S&P gained 11.60 to end at 986.75. And the Nasdaq rose 16.54 to 1,984.30. More»

(NEWSER) - Tech stocks soared at the open today, taking major indexes with them, after a strong quarter and upbeat outlook from Intel, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow rose 100 points, while the Nasdaq added 30 points and the S&P 11.45 points. Intel was up 7.5% pre-market. “Clearly, Intel is seeing a firming up in demand," said one analyst. “It's encouraging news for the industry.” More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks surged at the open, as better-than-expected earnings buoyed hopes that the economy is ready for a comeback, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow was up 71 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq rose 8 and 20 points, respectively. Earnings reports have been surprisingly good this quarter; about two-thirds of the S&P 500 companies that have reported have beaten estimates. More»

Investors look past Intel to manufacturing

(NEWSER) - Stocks rose late in today’s session, buoyed by decent news from the Fed’s Beige Book, the Wall Street Journal reports. The report showed manufacturing activity stabilizing or rising in five of 12 US districts, after months of declines. The Dow closed up 109.44 at 8,029.62. The Nasdaq gained 1.08 to close at 1,626.80, while the S&P 500 added 10.56, settling at 852.06. More»

Investors overcome grim FOMC minutes

(NEWSER) - Stocks posted gains today after dipping into the red after the release of minutes from the Fed open market committee’s March meeting, during which forecasts were lowered, the Wall Street Journal reports. Family Dollar Stores' strong earnings report encouraged investors, and the consumer and retail sectors saw broad advances. The Dow rose 47.55 points to close at 7,837.11. The Nasdaq gained 29.05, closing at 1,590.66, while the S&P 500 added 9.61, settling at 825.16. More»