Dow Climbs 96 to New 2009 High

Market extends winning streak into 7th day

(NEWSER) - Stocks closed with modest gains today as the tech and financial sectors, drivers of the recent rally, lost some steam, the Wall Street Journal reports. Nonetheless, the Dow was boosted by a 7.7% rise by Caterpillar, which reported a smaller-than-expected profit decline and raised its full-year earnings forecast. Apple and Yahoo both fell about 1% on pessimism on their quarterly earnings, which are due after today’s close. The Dow closed up 68 points at 8,916. The Nasdaq rose 7 points to close at 1,916, and the S&P 500 gained 3 points, closing at 955. More»

Price of barrel drops to $126, a 7-week low

(NEWSER) - Stocks climbed to robust gains by the end of today’s session as a drop in oil helped offset a spread of mixed earning reports, MarketWatch reports. The Dow gained 135.16 points to close at 11,602.50, the Nasdaq rose 24.43 to 2,303.9, and the S&P 500 climbed 17.01 points to 1,277.01. 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.

China reports big 56% jump in imports from year-ago

(NEWSER) - The markets were mixed today as traders awaited the launch of quarterly earnings season, which began after the bell. Dow component Caterpillar gained on trade figures from China, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow gained 45.80 points to close at 10,663.99.
• The Nasdaq lost 4.76, settling at 2,312.41.
• The S&P 500 gained 2.00, closing at 1,146.98.

Dow hits new 2009 high but falls back amid light volume

(NEWSER) - The stock indices ended mixed today after strong morning gains lost steam. The Dow hit a new high for 2009, 9931.82, off strong expectations for the third-quarter earnings. But profit-taking traders capitalized on recent gains, pushing the market lower; light trading volume on the Columbus Day holiday amplified their actions. The Dow closed up 20.86 points at 9,885.80. The Nasdaq lost just 0.14 to close at 2,139.14, and the S&P 500 settled at 1,076.18, having gained 4.69, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»