Dow Up 36 Points; Consumer Stocks Gain

'Fat finger trade' likely triggered trader panic

(NEWSER) - What's known in the business as a "fat finger" trade may have been responsible for yesterday's stock market chaos, analysts say. Multiple sources believe a trader at a major firm—possibly Citigroup—hit a "B" instead of an "M" while trading Procter & Gamble shares, selling a billion shares instead of a million , and sending the Dow Jones on a panicky rollercoaster ride. Major exchanges are also examining possible erroneous trades in multiple stocks that triggered glitches in the trading system, notes the Wall Street Journal. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks barely moved at today's open as traders awaited details on which banks would get approval to repay TARP funds, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow climbed less than 20 points; Procter & Gamble fell 1.4% after announcing its succession plans. The Nasdaq rose 0.6% and the S&P added 0.3%, with a 1% boost in its energy sector. Texas Instruments was up 6% after increasing its forecast, and Treasury note yields fell. More»

(NEWSER) - Stocks shot higher at the open this morning, as rising oil prices and strong manufacturing data from China outweighed news of GM's bankruptcy. The Dow rose 102 points; as of next Monday, the index will no longer include GM and Citigroup. The Nasdaq and S&P were each up 1.3%. Oil rose more than $2 to $68, driven in part by China’s announcement that industrial activity would increase for the third straight month. More»

(NEWSER) - Swine flu fears, and negative reports about the banks left investors feeling ill this morning. The Dow fell 65 points, while Nasdaq fell 0.8% and the S&P 0.9%. Bank of America and Citigroup were headed south, down 7.5% and 6.2% respectively on reports that they’d need to raise capital following poor stress test showings. Airlines were also lower. Overseas, swine flu fears pushed the Nikkei down 2.7%. More»

(NEWSER) - Better-than-expected earnings from GE and Citigroup barely produced a ripple in the broader market this morning, the Wall Street Journal reports. Stocks were mixed, with the Dow inching up 33 points, the Nasdaq slipping 6.42 points, and the S&P flat. Citi got a 9.5% boost off its surprise profit, while GE was up 2.4%. GM was up 5.2% after releasing more details on its restructuring. More»