Tech Falls, But Dow Up 68

Expectations for Caterpillar, AmEx earnings boost Dow

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied today on expectations for this week’s earnings reports, with the Dow rising 96.28 points to hit a new 2009 high of 10,092.19. Caterpillar, which reports tomorrow, gained 6.5% after saying it would raise prices. American Express, which reports Thursday, gained 2.6%. Traders were cautiously optimistic about Apple, which reported better-than-projected results after the bell: its stock rose 1%. The Nasdaq gained 19.52 to close at 2,176.32, and the S&P 500 added 10.23 to close at 1,097.91, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

China reports big 56% jump in imports from year-ago

(NEWSER) - The markets were mixed today as traders awaited the launch of quarterly earnings season, which began after the bell. Dow component Caterpillar gained on trade figures from China, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 45.80 points to close at 10,663.99.
• The Nasdaq lost 4.76, settling at 2,312.41.
• The S&P 500 gained 2.00, closing at 1,146.98.

Manufacturing, housing demand reports disappoint

(NEWSER) - Stocks fell today as a sharp monthly decline in the New York Fed’s manufacturing index hammered the materials, industrial, and energy sectors, the Wall Street Journal reports. Alcoa fell 6.3%, with Caterpillar, John Deere, and GE also down. In housing, the National Association of Home Builders’ index of demand for real estate unexpectedly fell in June. The Dow lost 187.13 points to settle at 8,612.13. the Nasdaq fell 42.42 to 1,816.38, while the S&P 500 closed down 22.49 at 923.72. More»

(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»

(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»