Dow Has Best 2-Month Showing Since 2002

Weak data, contract expirations stoke selloff

(NEWSER) - Stocks fell today as oil futures declined, the jobs picture remained grim, and two of the Detroit’s Big Three announced production stops due to lack of funds, MarketWatch reports. The imminent expiration of options and futures contracts also bedeviled the markets, and the Dow closed down 219.35 at 8,604.99. The Nasdaq fell 26.94 to close at 1,552.37, and the S&P 500 19.14 to 885.28. More»

Mining giants Bucyrus, Terex to merge

(NEWSER) - Stocks saw broad gains today as analysts upgraded blue chips Alcoa and Intel and big mergers were announced in the mining and health-care sectors, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 85.25 points to close at 10,414.14.
• The Nasdaq added 25.97, ending the session at 2,237.66.
• The S&P 500 gained 11.58 to settle at 1,114.05.

Dow Up 2.5% from week-ago close

(NEWSER) - Stocks finished off their intraday highs but with solid gains on strong earnings reports from Disney, Abercrombie & Fitch, and JCPenney, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 73.00 points to close at 10,270.47.
• The Nasdaq added 18.86, settling at 2,167.88.
• The S&P 500 rose 6.24, closing at 1,093.48.

Dallas Fed chief reiterates commitment to low interest rates

(NEWSER) - Stocks retreated from an earlier rally but closed with solid gains after the Dallas Fed president reaffirmed the central bank's commitment to keeping interest rates low. Meanwhile, home-builder Toll Brothers announced a surge in contracts for the third quarter, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 44 points to close at 10,291.
• The Nasdaq added 16 points to settle at 2,167.
• The S&P 500 rose 6 points to 1,099.

Energy firms rise as oil adds $3.08

(NEWSER) - Stocks posted solid gains today as commodity prices rose, the Wall Street Journal reports. Oil jumped $3.08 to $71.28 a barrel and gold crossed the $1,000-an-ounce mark. Commodity-producing stocks Exxon, Chevron, and Alcoa all saw gains as a result. The Dow added 56 points to close at 9,497. The Nasdaq gained 19 points, settling at 2,038, and the S&P 500 rose 9 points to close at 1,025. More»