Banks Spur Gains; Dow Up 102

Intel, JP Morgan earnings, though positive, stoke worry

(NEWSER) - Stocks started the day with losses and failed to recover, with financials leading the slide. JPMorgan Chase dragged down the sector thanks to its quarterly report, which showed strong earnings but hinted at continued weakness in consumer loans, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow fell 100.90 points to close at 10,609.65.
• The Nasdaq lost 28.76, settling at 2,287.99.
• The S&P 500 dropped 12.43, closing at 1,136.03.

Retail sales beat expectations in November

(NEWSER) - Stocks ended today's session mixed, with the Dow posting solid gains. Alcoa saw a. 8% jump on an optimistic profit estimate by JPMorgan, and the University of Michigan/Reuters December consumer sentiment index beat expectations, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 65.67 points to close at 10,471.50.
• The Nasdaq fell 0.55, settling at 2,190.51.
• The S&P 500 gained 4.06, closing at 1,106.41.

Big gains for major banks ahead of earnings reports

(NEWSER) - Stocks staged a broad rally today as financials soared ahead of earnings reports, the Wall Street Journal reports. Bank of America surged 9%, while Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase rose 6.9%. General Electric, which will also report its second-quarter earnings this week, rose 6.1%. The Dow closed up 185.16 at 8,331.68. The Nasdaq added 37.18 to 1,793.21, and the S&P 500 rose 21.92, settling at 901.05. More»

Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase post modest advances

(NEWSER) - Stocks were mixed today, between a slide by Boeing and a successful auction of 2-year Treasury notes, the Wall Street Journal reports. Another delay for its Dreamliner dragged Boeing down 6.27%; Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase both advanced after yesterday’s sell-off. The Dow fell 16.10 to 8,322.91. The Nasdaq lost 1.27, settling at 1,764.92, while the S&P 500 gained 2.06 to close at 895.10. More»

Investors find hope in stress tests and unemployment results

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied today on the unemployment report and stress-test results, the Wall Street Journal reports. Though unemployment continues to grow, the slowing pace of joblessness fueled a cautious optimism. American Express and JP Morgan Chase, who “passed” the government’s test, both gained 9%. The Dow closed up 164.80 at 8,574.63. The Nasdaq added 22.76, closing at 1,739.00, and the S&P 500 gained 21.84 to 929.23. More»