Dow Up 24; Traders Stay Cautious

Dow closes at highest level since October 2008

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied today off an upswing in manufacturing activity for December and Fed comments that reaffirmed the central bank's continued commitment to low interest rates, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow jumped 155.91 points to close at 10,583.96.
• The Nasdaq added 39.27, closing at 2,308.42.
• The S&P 500 gained 17.89, settling at 1,132.99.

Traders not yet convinced by jobs data

(NEWSER) - Stocks gave up modest gains as today's session unfolded, with traders remaining defensive in response to reports the Fed will keep interest rates low for a while longer, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow added 1.21 points to close at 10,390.11.
• The Nasdaq fell 4.74, settling at 2,189.61.
• The S&P 500 dropped 2.73 to close at 1,103.25.

Bernanke predicts US GDP growth in 2010

(NEWSER) - Stocks rallied today on news of strong third-quarter economic growth in Japan and reassurance from Ben Bernanke that the Fed will keep interest rates low, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• The Dow rose 136.49 points to close at 10,406,96.
• The Nasdaq gained 29.97, settling at 2,197.85.
• The S&P 500 added 15.82 to close at 1,109.30.

(NEWSER) - Stocks dipped today on worse-than-expected information about consumer sentiment, the Wall Street Journal reports. A Reuters index dropped 3 points instead of the anticipated 2-point rise. A downward spiral has been evident since the Fed announced it would not raise interest rates Wednesday. “A day like today has been long overdue,” said an observer. The Dow was off 76.79 and closed 9,321.40. The S&P sank 8.64 to 1,004.09, and the Nasdaq lost 23.83 to end at 1,985.52. More»

(NEWSER) - Markets were mixed today as positive economic indicators and surging tech stocks battled with a Fed announcement that interest rates would be held near zero, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow lost early momentum, but the Nasdaq flourished. “We’ve basically come through a panic phase,” an analyst said of tech buying. The Dow was off 23.05 to 8,299.86. The S&P rose 5.84 to 900.94. And the Nasdaq gained 27.42 to 1,792.34. More»