Tag: market news

Stocks have moved sharply lower over the course of the trading day on Thursday after turning in a lackluster performance over the three previous sessions. Uncertainty about a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is contributing to the weakness on Wall Street.

The major averages have climbed well off their worst levels of the day but remain firmly in negative territory. The Dow is down 98.33 points or 0.8 percent at 13,009.15, the Nasdaq is down 29.17 points or 1 percent at 3,052.02 and the S&P 500 is down 10.38 points or 0.7 percent at 1,400.11. Continue reading "Stocks are making a sharp down move today" →

Slightly better economic growth and stronger housing sales nudged the stock market higher Wednesday. The Dow Jones industrial average managed a four-point gain.

The U.S. economy expanded at a 1.7 percent annual rate from April through June thanks to rising consumer spending and exports. That's an improvement from the initial estimate of 1.5 percent, but not enough to put a dent in the unemployment rate.

The National Association of Realtors said its index of sales for previously owned homes increased 2.4 percent in July, reaching its highest level since April 2010, the last month buyers could qualify for a federal tax credit. Continue reading "The U.S. stock indexes closed firmer today" →

(RTTNews) - Stocks have shown a lack of direction over the course of the trading day on Wednesday, extending the lackluster performance seen over the course of the two previous sessions. Traders remain reluctant to make any significant moves.

The major averages are currently lingering near the unchanged line, showing moves off less than a tenth of a percent. While the Nasdaq is down 0.52 points at 3,076.62, the Dow is up 2.30 points at 13,105.29 and the S&P 500 is up 0.75 points at 1,410.05. Continue reading "Stocks Continue To Show A Lack Of Direction" →

Mixed economic data kept the stock market hovering near break-even Tuesday. One report on home prices looked encouraging, and another on consumer confidence was worrisome.

House prices increased in all major U.S. cities in June, according to the closely watched Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home-price index. The report was the latest sign that the housing market has been gaining strength.

"I thought it was terrific," said Phil Orlando, chief equity strategist at Federated Investors. "If you look at all of the key housing metrics over the past year _ affordability, building permits, starts _ all those numbers are pointing in the right direction." Continue reading "Stocks mixed in thin trading; oil creeps over $96" →

Stock markets retreated Tuesday due to global worries about the impact of the eurozone debt crisis and as investors awaited a key speech by the U.S. central bank chief.

Investors are looking for confirmation that central banks in the U.S. and China will provide more economic stimulus and that the European Central Bank will intervene in bond markets to lower some countries' high borrowing costs.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will hold an important speech later this week that investors will watch carefully for clues about the central bank's intentions to try to speed up the U.S. economic recovery. Continue reading "Markets stall as traders await US Fed chief speech" →