Dow Wavers, Finishes Up 90

(NEWSER) - Markets fell today as an auction pushed yields on 10-year Treasury notes higher, the Wall Street Journal reports. A 30-year sale is scheduled for Friday. “Higher interest rates are not good for anyone,” said one broker. “It’s going to kill the refinancing boom.” The Dow was off 24.04 to 8.739.02. The S&P lost 3.28 to end at 939.15. And the Nasdaq shed 7.05 to 1,853.08. More»

(NEWSER) - A Treasury note bump and continued skittishness about the US economy sent stocks down today, the Wall Street Journal reports. “Yesterday, everyone was happy about the consumer,” one strategist said. “Now people are wondering about the flip side: What happens if consumption gets out of hand?” The Dow was down 173.47 to 8,300.02. The S&P lost 17.27, to 893.06. The Nasdaq shed 19.35 to 1,731.08. More»

Plan to buy Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities stirs stocks

(NEWSER) - Stocks slumped today until the announcement of the Federal Reserve’s plans to buy billions in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, which caused a minor rally in equities, the Wall Street Journal reports. Treasury prices surged and yields plummeted. The Dow gained 90.88 to close at 7,486.58. The Nasdaq rose 29.11, closing at 1,491.22, and the S&P 500 rose 16.23 to settle at 794.35. More»

Eight-day winning stretch is first in 28 months

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed up today as the Dow continued its modest winning streak for an eighth day—the longest period of gains in 28 months—though trading volume remained light, the Wall Street Journal reports. An auction of 7-year Treasury notes saw decent demand. AIG shares rose 28.8% on reports that former CEO Maurice Greenberg may return to the firm. The Dow rose 37.11 points to close at 9,580.63. The Nasdaq gained 3.30, settling at 2,027.73, and the S&P 500 added 2.86 to close at 1,030.98. More»

Gains in durable goods mostly due to defense, aircraft orders

(NEWSER) - Stocks barely eked out gains today, as positive reports on housing and durable goods orders failed to excite investors, the Wall Street Journal reports. New-home sales rose 9.6% in July, beating expectations, while inventories dropped to the lowest level since April 2007. The Dow closed up 4 points at 9,544. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 were flat, closing at their opening values of 2,024 and 1,028, respectively. More»