Dow Up 216, Flirts With 8,000

Optimism on Chinese stimulus felt around the world

(NEWSER) - Stocks made gains today as a rally in China’s Shanghai Composite lifted several sectors, the Wall Street Journal reports. Optimism over further stimulus efforts by Beijing lifted shares of firms in manufacturing, mining, and technology stocks around the world on hope of increased Chinese demand. The Dow Jones rose 149.82 points to close at 6,876; Nasdaq gained 32.73 points, settling at 1,354; the S&P 500 gained 16.54 points to close at 713. More»

China moves to tighten lending; tech proves resilient

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed mixed today as China's move to restrict lending and a low reading of EU GDP stoked worries about global economic health, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow dropped 45.05 points to close at 10,099.14.
• The Nasdaq gained 6.12, closing at 2,183.53.
• The S&P 500 fell 32.96 to settle at 1,075.51.

China reports big 56% jump in imports from year-ago

(NEWSER) - The markets were mixed today as traders awaited the launch of quarterly earnings season, which began after the bell. Dow component Caterpillar gained on trade figures from China, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 45.80 points to close at 10,663.99.
• The Nasdaq lost 4.76, settling at 2,312.41.
• The S&P 500 gained 2.00, closing at 1,146.98.

'Clunkers' boosts sales, NY manufacturing up

(NEWSER) - Stocks posted solid advances after Ben Bernanke said it was “very likely” that the recession is over, the Wall Street Journal reports. Economic reports showed retail sales gaining 2.7% last month, largely because of the “Cash for Clunkers” program, while the Fed’s index of NY manufacturing activity rose to its highest value since November 2007. The Dow rose 56 points to close at 9,683. The Nasdaq gained 11 points to settle at 2,103, and the S&P 500 added 3 points, closing at 1,053. More»

Signs of life in M&A spur late advances

(NEWSER) - Stocks swung to gains late in the session today, with industrial stocks and utilities pacing advances, the Wall Street Journal reports. Reports of the Chinese government acquiring power-plant developer AES boosted the S&P 500. AES gained 4.5%, and General Electric climbed 4.6%. The Dow rose 21.39 points to close at 9,626.80. The Nasdaq gained 10.88, closing at 2,091.76, and the S&P 500 added 6.61 to settle at 1,049.34. More»