Dow Plunges 186, Biggest Fall in 2 Months

Investors predict payroll gains for March

(NEWSER) - Gains in financial stocks kept the markets afloat today. Both AIG and Citigroup closed up, in part because of a successful offering of $2 billion in trust preferred securities, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 2.95 points to close at 10,567.33.
• The Nasdaq added 18.27 to settle at 2,358.95.
• The S&P 500 rose 5.17, closing at 1,145.61.

Manufacturing employment rises

(NEWSER) - News of Prudential's agreement to buy AIG's Asia division sowed confidence on Wall Street today. Stocks rose, boosted as well by a jump in manufacturing employment, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 78.53 points to close at 10,403.79.
• The Nasdaq added 35.31, closing at 2,273.57.
• The S&P 500 gained 11.22 to settle at 1,115.71.

Markets recover after last week's bloodbath

(NEWSER) - Stocks posted gains today as some investors bought up bargains in the wake of last week's big losses—but volume was light as most remained cautious ahead of the State of the Union address, a hearing on AIG's bailout, and a Fed interest-rate decision, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 23.88 points to close at 10,196.86.
• The Nasdaq added 5.51, settling at 2,210.80.
• The S&P 500 gained 5.02, closing at 1,096.78.

Fear of Sept. stock pullback drives gold to 6-month high

(NEWSER) - Stocks jumped today on the strength of blue-chip financials after mostly idling. Volume was low as investors waited for the government’s monthly employment report, due tomorrow, the Wall Street Journal reports. AIG and Citigroup rose, while safe-haven buying pushed gold to almost to $1,000 an ounce, a level not seen since February. The Dow rose 63.94 points to close at 9,344.61. The Nasdaq added 16.13 to close at 1,983.20, and the S&P 500 rose 8.49 to settle at 1,003.24. More»

Eight-day winning stretch is first in 28 months

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed up today as the Dow continued its modest winning streak for an eighth day—the longest period of gains in 28 months—though trading volume remained light, the Wall Street Journal reports. An auction of 7-year Treasury notes saw decent demand. AIG shares rose 28.8% on reports that former CEO Maurice Greenberg may return to the firm. The Dow rose 37.11 points to close at 9,580.63. The Nasdaq gained 3.30, settling at 2,027.73, and the S&P 500 added 2.86 to close at 1,030.98. More»