Energy Falters; Dow Off 37

(NEWSER) - Stocks jumped at the open today, with the Dow up 61 points, the Nasdaq adding 0.5%, and the S&P gaining 0.7%, powered by strong moves in its energy and basic materials sectors. That was due in part to the surge in fuel prices, with oil clearing $71 a barrel. Chevron and Exxon Mobil each rose 1%. Shares in industrial companies also climbed, with Caterpillar up 1.3%. If it holds, the Dow's move will put it in positive territory for the year. More»

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»

Traders nervous about long-term effects

(NEWSER) - Stocks plummeted today as uncertainty over the cost and long-term impact of the Wall Street bailout plan spread and oil surged, MarketWatch reports. Treasuries and the dollar fell as traders worried the bailout’s cost could affect the government’s status as a borrower. The Dow closed down 372.75, at 11,015.69. The Nasdaq lost 94.92, closing at 2,178.98, and the S&P 500 lost 47.99, closing at 1,207.09. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks rebounded from yesterday's miserable day to close with mild gains, MarketWatch reports. Energy and industrial firms did well after yesterday's huge sell-off, but concerns about Lehman Brothers continued to weigh on the financial sector. The Dow closed up 38.19 points at 11,268.92, the Nasdaq rose 18.89 to 2,228.70, and the S&P 500 gained 7.53 to 1,232.04. More»

Consumer confidence falls from last month

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed slightly lower today as falling crude prices and shares of energy firms weighed on the broader market, the Wall Street Journal reports. Exxon and Chevron both fell around 1% off a decline of $1.15 in crude oil prices, which stand at $67.32 a barrel. A new report also said consumer confidence dipped again. The Dow fell 12 points to close at 9,097. The Nasdaq gained 8 points, settling at 1,976, while the S&P 500 closed down 3 points at 980. More»