Stocks Flat Ahead of TARP News

Indices all post solid gains for the week

(NEWSER) - Stocks posted gains today, closing out a strong week as consumer stocks saw advances, the Wall Street Journal reports. Procter & Gamble gained 3.21% after Citigroup upgraded the firm’s shares to “buy.” Optimism about a recovery in consumer spending drove Starbucks up 3.64%, with PepsiCo and Philip Morris also gaining about 1%. The Dow added 36.28 points to close at 9,820.20. The Nasdaq rose 6.11, settling at 2,132.86, and the S&P 500 gained 2.81to close at 1,068.30. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets were off today on plunges in the energy and manufacturing sectors brought on by falling oil prices, the Wall Street Journal reports. A poorly received auction of T-notes also did little to inspire confidence. The world’s largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, slipped 7% on a larger than expected loss, and the tech sector took a hit on Microsoft’s deal with Yahoo. The Dow fell 26 to 9,070.72, the S&P shed 4.49 to end at 975.13, and Nasdaq lost 7.75 to finish at 1,967.76. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets were up today on a successful sale of 30-year Treasury notes and other indicators of economic recovery, the Wall Street Journal reports. Bank of America saw a 9% upswing after its CEO testified on Capitol Hill. The Dow gained 31.90 to 8,770.92. The S&P rose 5.74 to 944.89. And the Nasdaq tacked on 9.29 to finish at 1,862.37. More»

(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) - The market was level today as financials awaited notice of which companies would be allowed to pay back TARP funds, the Wall Street Journal reports. The good news contrasted with a drop-off in commodities and a poor performance by Apple, which announced new iPhones, laptops, and operating systems. The Dow added 1.44 to 8,764.57. The S&P sank 0.96 to 939.13. And the Nasdaq lost 7.02 to end at 1,842.40. More»