Dow Off 15 Despite Retail News

Markets continue 7th day of wild variations

(NEWSER) - Stocks seesawed today as good economic data on industry and the housing sector drove big early gains, which then fell victim to selloffs in the financial sector, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow climbed 76.71 points to close at 9,789.44.
• Nasdaq tacked on 4.09 to end at 2,049.20.
• The S&P gained 6.60 and wound up at 1,042.88.

(NEWSER) - Markets were up today on a strong performance from the volatile financial sector and continued gains for health-care stocks, the Wall Street Journal reports. Investors are confident that President Obama's health reform will be whittled down, leaving room for industry profits. The Dow was up 58.42, to 8,555.60. The S&P rose 7.66 to end at 918.37, and the Nasdaq slipped 0.34 to 1,807.72. More»

(NEWSER) - Good news from the housing sector outweighed bank troubles today for Wall Street, the Journal reports. Manufacturer Alcoa tacked on 6%, and a housing-industry group said sales in April made the biggest jump in 8 years. Financials fell after more banks announced plans to pay back TARP loans through stock offerings. The Dow was up 19.43 to 8.740.87. The S&P gained 1.91, ending at 944.78. And the Nasdaq rose 8.12 to 1,836.80. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets fell today after the Federal Reserve warned of a more prolonged recession than it previously expected, the Wall Street Journal reports. Financials and tech contributed to the plunge, which even a 6-month high in oil prices could not stop. “We’re just dealing with a stock market that was defying gravity,” a broker said. The Dow was off 52.81 to 8,422.04. The S&P fell 4.66 to 903.47. The Nasdaq lost 6.70, ending at 1,727.84. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets were off today on falling oil prices and a poor showing from the financial industry, the Wall Street Journal reports. The S&P energy index fell 2.4% and Bank of America, Pfizer, and Wal-Mart also saw declines. General Motors, whose low share price no longer significantly affects markets, was off 4%. The Dow was down 62.68, to 8,268.64. The S&P 500 slumped 10.19, to 882.88. And the Nasdaq finished down 9.07 at 1,680.14. More»