Economy Slows, Stocks Surge: What Gives?

Markets propelled by strong earnings from Intel, JPMorgan

(AP) - The Dow Jones industrial average reached 10,000 today for the first time since Oct. 7, 2008. The milestone, which triggered a whoop from the trading floor, was buoyed by surprisingly strong earnings reports from Intel and JPMorgan. The latter stoked the market's optimism as it handily beat Wall Street's expectations, reporting a profit of $3.59 billion for the July-September period. More»

Dow up 140

(NEWSER) - Stocks surged at the opening bell this morning, as traders registered approval of the central banks’ move to inject $360 billion into global money markets. The Dow jumped 118 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq rose 1.6% and 2% respectively. “These joint interventions are welcomed by the market, showing the Fed is trying to solve the logjam,” said one economist. More»

Investors thank Bush, Bernanke for gains

(NEWSER) - On the eve of the holiday weekend, the major markets jumped today, riding encouraging comments by President Bush and Ben Bernanke to broad advances that pushed their monthly gains above 1%. The Dow, which saw 28 of 30 stocks rise, finished up 119.01 points, closing at 13,357.74. Citigroup and JP Morgan led a financial-sector rally. More»

Traders watch, wait as Fed weighs interest rate cut

(NEWSER) - The Dow dipped a quarter-point to close at 13,235.88 today as investors continue to fret over the possibility of a Fed interest rate cut. The S&P 500 dropped 1.57 to 1,462.5, and the Nasdaq fell 11.10 to 2,541.70. Home Depot led the retreat; shares fell fell 2.2% on news that the sale of one of its divisions is in trouble. More»

(NEWSER) - Major US indexes reeled today, after a wild seesaw session in which a Fed bailout rescued Wall Street from a veritginous selloff this morning. The Dow closed at 13239.54, down 31.14, after initial rumors of a broad but blurry liquidity crisis crashed it over 100 points in early trading. The Nasdaq fell 11.60 to close at 2544.89; the S&P was off 2.40 at 1455.50. More»