Dow Off 42, Wrapping Up Down Week for Stocks

Dow, S&P 500 now negative for 2009

(NEWSER) - A global rout in materials and energy stocks combined with a sell-off in financials to wreak havoc on US markets today, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow closed down 200.72 at 8,339.01. The Nasdaq lost 61.28, closing at 1,766.19, and the S&P 500 dropped 28.19 to close at 893.04. The Dow is now down 1.1% for the year, while the S&P is off 5%. More»

Earnings season has investors worried

(NEWSER) - Stocks dropped today as investors grew jittery over earnings season, the Wall Street Journal reports. Major industrial and commodities stocks saw declines ahead of Alcoa’s report, in which analysts expect a loss of 56 cents per share. Tech fell, too, with Research in Motion and Cisco dropping 6% and 4%, respectively. The Dow lost 186.29 to close at 7,789.56. The Nasdaq fell 45.10, settling at 1,561.61, while the S&P 500 dropped 19.93 to close at 815.55. More»

MasterCard's success boosts financials

(NEWSER) - Stocks rebounded after initially falling lower today, as investors snapped up bargains from depressed equities, MarketWatch reports. MasterCard led advances with a 14% gain after beating profit estimates. Wal-Mart was another strong performer, rising 4.33% on strong January sales. The Dow closed up 106.41 at 8,063.07. The Nasdaq gained 31.19 to 1,546.24, and the S&P 500 rose 13.62, closing at 845.85. More»

Google, AmEx drop despite positive earnings reports

(NEWSER) - Strong earnings just weren't enough to buoy the markets today, as Google and American Express saw big declines despite strong quarterly reports. Goldman Sachs and other financials also posted losses due to fear over President Obama's new restrictions on banks, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow lost 216.90 points to close at 10,172.98.
• The Nasdaq fell 60.41, dropping to 2,205.29.
• The S&P 500 shed 254.72, settling at 1,091.76.

Mining giants Bucyrus, Terex to merge

(NEWSER) - Stocks saw broad gains today as analysts upgraded blue chips Alcoa and Intel and big mergers were announced in the mining and health-care sectors, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 85.25 points to close at 10,414.14.
• The Nasdaq added 25.97, ending the session at 2,237.66.
• The S&P 500 gained 11.58 to settle at 1,114.05.