Dow Up 4 Despite Strong Housing Data

Investors await consumer confidence, housing, GDP data

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed near to opening levels today, with the Dow just barely extending its winning streak into a fifth session, the Wall Street Journal reports. All the indices hit new highs for 2009 early, boosted by housing data, investors pulled back ahead of looming reports on consumer confidence, new home sales, and second-quarter GDP. The Dow closed up 3.32 points at 9,509.28. The Nasdaq sank 2.92 to close at 2,017.98, and the S&P 500 lost .57, closing at 1,025.56. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks headed higher at the open today, after a pair of promising economic reports. The Dow added 75 points, while the Nasdaq and S&P rose 1.1% and 1% respectively. Durable goods orders rose 1.9% last month, and new jobless claims fell 13,000 last week; both numbers beat analyst estimates. Trading was halted on GM shares, after bondholders struck a new deal with the company. More»

Poor Treasury auction saps some investor confidence

(NEWSER) - Stocks wavered today, with the indices posting gains but off session highs, the Wall Street Journal reports. A rise in durable-goods orders stoked an early rally, but enthusiasm was tempered by weak demand for US Treasuries in an auction. The Dow dipped into losses in the afternoon, but closed up 89.60 at 7,749.81. The Nasdaq gained 12.43 to 1,528.95, and the S&P 500 rose 7.63, settling at 813.88. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks switched back into climbing mode this morning, after a better-than-expected durable goods report. The Dow rose 76 points, bolstered by GE's 4% surge, while the Nasdaq and S&P each gained about 1%. Durable goods orders rose 3.4% in February, defying analyst expectations of a 2% decline. But one economist urged caution. “It is much less impressive than it looks at first sight,” he said. “It cannot possibly last.” More»

Nervousness builds ahead of January job report

(NEWSER) - Widespread layoffs and poor housing data spurred a sell-off in stocks that saw the Dow give back yesterday’s gains and more, MarketWatch reports. Weekly jobless claims rose 159,000 and new layoffs were announced at Allstate and Eastman Kodak, stoking fear ahead of next Friday’s January employment report. The Dow fell 226.44 to 8,149.01, the Nasdaq lost 50.50 to 1,507.84, and the S&P 500 fell 28.95, settling at 845.14. More»