Dow Ticks Up 38 Amid Layoffs

Data on home resales spur rally

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied today on news that home resales jumped 10.1% in October and comments from the president of the St. Louis Fed reaffirming the government's extended commitment to support the credit markets, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow jumped 132.79 points to close at 10,450.95, a new high for 2009.
• The Nasdaq added 29.97, closing at 2,176.01.
• The S&P 500 rose 14.86 to settle at 1,106.24.

Investors await consumer confidence, housing, GDP data

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed near to opening levels today, with the Dow just barely extending its winning streak into a fifth session, the Wall Street Journal reports. All the indices hit new highs for 2009 early, boosted by housing data, investors pulled back ahead of looming reports on consumer confidence, new home sales, and second-quarter GDP. The Dow closed up 3.32 points at 9,509.28. The Nasdaq sank 2.92 to close at 2,017.98, and the S&P 500 lost .57, closing at 1,025.56. More»

Signs of life from the consumer help stocks rebound

(NEWSER) - Positive retail reports helped get stocks back on track today after recent declines, the Wall Street Journal reports. Home Depot, Target, and Saks saw smaller-than-expected declines in quarterly profit, while discount chain TJX reported a 31% gain. The Dow rose 82.60 to close at 9,217.94. The Nasdaq gained 25.08, closing at 1,955.92, and the S&P 500 added 9.94 to settle at 989.67. More»

Verizon earnings disappoint, but Commerce reports jump in June home sales

(NEWSER) - Stocks fluctuated today after two weeks of solid gains, the Wall Street Journal reports. Data from the Commerce Department showing an 11% rise in sales of single-family homes in June boosted homebuilders. Verizon fell 2% after posting a 7% decline in earnings. The Dow ended up 15.27 at 9,108.51. The Nasdaq gained 1.93, settling at 1,967.89, and the S&P 500 added 2.92 to close at 982.18. More»

Amazon, Microsoft fall after weak earnings

(NEWSER) - The tech sector exerted downward pressure on stocks today, snapping the Nasdaq’s 12-day winning streak, the Wall Street Journal reports. Microsoft sank 8.9% after reporting a 29% drop in quarterly earnings, while Amazon fell 8.3% after also reporting a disappointing quarter. Alcoa, Pfizer, and Merck helped the Dow climb with modest advances. The Dow gained 23.95 points to close at 9,093.24. The Nasdaq lost 7.64, settling at 1,965.96, and the S&P 500 added 2.97, closing at 979.26. More»