Dow Up 97 on Aug. Jobs Data

Stock indexes finish week up 3%

(NEWSER) - Stocks rose slightly today after analysts upgraded GE—a striking sign of confidence, given the troubles at its finance arm over the previous year. But any enthusiasm was tempered by the news that unemployment hit 10.2% in October, the highest level since 1983.

• The Dow rose 17.46 points to close at 10,023.42.
• The Nasdaq added 7.12, settling at 2,112.44.
• The S&P 500 gained 2.67 to close at 1,069.30.

All major indexes are in negative territory for the year

(NEWSER) - The only good thing to say about today's stock market is that it's finally over. The Dow fell a staggering 513 points, or 4.3%, to close at 11,384. It's the worst point drop since December 2008 and the worst percentage drop since February 2009, reports MarketWatch . The S&P 500 plunged 60, or nearly 5%, and NASDAQ dropped 137, about 5%. All three major indexes are now in the red for the year. More»

Unemployment rate holds at 9.7%

(NEWSER) - A better-than-expected jobs report fueled a rally in stocks to close out the week. Nonfarm payrolls fell by 36,000 in February, far less than the predicted level of 75,000, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 122.06 points to close at 10,566.20.
• The Nasdaq picked up 334.04, settling at 2,326.35.
• The S&P 500 added 15.72, closing at 1,138.69.

Dow off 170 midday on European credit woes

(NEWSER) - Stocks regained their opening levels after severe losses that saw the Dow off 170 points at midday today. Despite better-than-expected US employment figures, worries about the creditworthiness of some troubled European nations exerted downward pressure on stocks, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow Jones closed up 10.05 points at 10,012.23.
• The Nasdaq gained 15.69 to close at 2,141.12.
• The S&P 500 added 3.07 to settle at 1,066.18.

Stocks make gains for first trading week of 2010

(NEWSER) - Stocks spent most of the day down modestly but pulled up sharply at the close, as traders proved relatively unmoved by disappointing December unemployment figures, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 11.33 points to close at 10,618.19.
• The Nasdaq added 17.12, closing at 2,317.17.
• The S&P 500 gained 3.29 to settle at 1,144.98.