Dow Up 3 as Stocks Stall Ahead of Reports

GDP grows 5.9% in last quarter of 2009

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed out February by nudging into positive territory as investors weighed the news that GDP grew by 5.9% last quarter but existing-home sales plunged, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 4.23 points to close at 10,325.26.
• The Nasdaq added 4.04, settling at 2,238.26.
• The S&P 500 rose 1.56 to settle at 1,104.49.

China moves to tighten lending; tech proves resilient

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed mixed today as China's move to restrict lending and a low reading of EU GDP stoked worries about global economic health, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow dropped 45.05 points to close at 10,099.14.
• The Nasdaq gained 6.12, closing at 2,183.53.
• The S&P 500 fell 32.96 to settle at 1,075.51.

Microsoft falls 4.5% despite strong profits

(NEWSER) - Stocks saw losses today as investors proved unmoved by the striking 5.7% jump in GDP for the second quarter. Microsoft led a broad decline in tech stocks despite reporting strong growth in quarterly profits, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow fell 53.13 points to close at 10,067.33.
• The Nasdaq lost 31.65, closing at 2,147.35.
• The S&P 500 dropped 10.66 to settle at 1,073.87.

Data on home resales spur rally

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied today on news that home resales jumped 10.1% in October and comments from the president of the St. Louis Fed reaffirming the government's extended commitment to support the credit markets, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow jumped 132.79 points to close at 10,450.95, a new high for 2009.
• The Nasdaq added 29.97, closing at 2,176.01.
• The S&P 500 rose 14.86 to settle at 1,106.24.

Dow still on track for best quarter in 10 years

(NEWSER) - Stocks fell today as traders lost some of yesterday’s confidence ahead of looming job reports. ADP will release its September survey tomorrow, with weekly data due Thursday and the government’s nonfarm payrolls report coming Friday. The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index, which analysts had been expecting to rise, fell in September. The Dow dropped 47.16 points to 9,742.20. The Nasdaq lost 6.70, settling at 2,124.04, and the S&P 500 dropped 2.37 to close at 1,060.61, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»