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• Indexes edge higher on Wall Street in early trade

  May 21, 2013 8:54 AM

  NEW YORK- Stock indexes are edging higher in early trading on Wall Street as investors look ahead to the Federal Reserve's next moves. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 54 points at 15,390 shortly after the opening bell Tuesday, a gain of 0.4 percent. The Standard & Poor's 500... more »

• Stocks open slightly lower on Wall Street

  May 20, 2013 9:01 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are opening slightly lower on Wall Street as the stock market comes off of four straight weeks of gains. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 21 points to 15,332 shortly after the opening bell Monday, a loss of 0.1 percent. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was... more »

• Stocks edge higher in early trading on Wall Street

  May 17, 2013 8:50 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are slightly higher in early trading on Wall Street, even as several big retailers slumped after reporting disappointing earnings. Shortly after the opening bell Friday the Dow Jones industrial average was up 25 points at 15,259, an increase of 0.2 percent. The Standard & Poor's 500 index... more »

• Weak open on Wall Street; Wal-Mart disappoints

  May 16, 2013 9:04 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are opening slightly lower on Wall Street a day after the market hit its latest record high. Wal-Mart led the Dow Jones industrial average lower after the giant retailer blamed higher payroll taxes, bad weather and delayed tax refunds for a sales slump that disappointed investors. Cisco... more »

• Stock prices ease as manufacturing softens

  May 15, 2013 9:12 AM

  NEW YORK- A report of slowing manufacturing in the Northeastern U.S. is getting the stock market off to weak start. Traders were also disappointed by news that Europe's economic slump continued, dragging France into a recession. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 30 points at 15,186 shortly after the... more »

• Stocks edge higher in early trading on Wall Street

  May 14, 2013 9:03 AM

  NEW YORK- Stock indexes are moving higher in early trading on Wall Street as a record-breaking advance on the stock market got moving again. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 26 points at 15,117 shortly after the opening bell Tuesday, a gain of 0.2 percent. The broader Standard and... more »

• Stocks waver in early trading on Wall Street

  May 9, 2013 8:57 AM

  NEW YORK- Stock indexes are barely budging in early trading on Wall Street as corporate earnings reporting for the first quarter draws to a close. The Dow Jones industrial average was moving between small gains and losses shortly after the opening bell Thursday. After the first fifteen minutes of trading... more »

• Stocks edge higher in early trade on Wall Street

  May 7, 2013 9:00 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are edging higher in early trading on Wall Street, putting the Dow Jones industrial average back above 15,000. The Dow was up 42 points at 15,011 shortly after the opening bell Tuesday, an increase of 0.3 percent. The Dow first crossed above 15,000 on Friday after the... more »

• Stocks edge lower; Pfizer weighs down the Dow

  April 30, 2013 8:58 AM

  NEW YORK- Stock prices are opening mostly lower on Wall Street as weak earnings from Pfizer and other companies drag down major market averages. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 48 points to 14,770 shortly after the opening bell Tuesday, a loss of 0.4 percent. Pfizer was among the biggest... more »

• Stocks open higher as consumer spending rises

  April 29, 2013 9:02 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are edging higher in early trading on Wall Street as investors were encouraged by an increase in consumer spending last month. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 17 points at 14,730 shortly after the opening bell Monday, a gain of 0.1 percent. The Standard & Poor's... more »

• Solid earnings drive stocks higher on Wall Street

  April 23, 2013 9:04 AM

  NEW YORK- Strong earnings from a range of U.S. companies are driving stock prices higher in the early going on Wall Street. Coach, Travelers and Lockheed Martin were among the winners shortly after the opening bell after the companies reported better results than analysts were expecting. The Dow Jones industrial... more »

• Pickup in home building sends stock market higher

  April 16, 2013 9:05 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are sharply higher in early trading, a day after the market's worst drop this year, as the government reported a surge in home construction last month. Coca-Cola jumped 4 percent after reporting strong earnings. Home builder stocks rose following the construction report. The Dow Jones industrial average... more »

• Stocks ease in early trading; gold plunges

  April 15, 2013 8:47 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street following sharp drops in commodities prices and declines in European markets. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 53 points at 14,811 shortly after the opening bell Monday, a decline of 0.4 percent. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell seven... more »

• US stock markets open higher

  April 10, 2013 9:11 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street, a day after the Dow Jones industrial average closed at its second all-time high in a week. Shortly after the opening bell the Dow Jones industrial average rose 72 points, or 0.5 percent, to 14,744. The Standard & Poor's 500 index... more »

• Stocks open mixed on Wall Street ahead of earnings

  April 8, 2013 9:06 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are mixed in early trading on Wall Street as traders gear up for the beginning of corporate earnings reports. The Dow Jones industrial average was off 23 points, or 0.2 percent, at 14,541 shortly after the opening bell Monday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was down... more »

• Stocks open higher on Wall Street

  April 2, 2013 9:03 AM

  Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street as traders hope for more positive news on the U.S. economy. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 57 points, or 0.4 percent, to 14,628 shortly after the opening bell Tuesday. The Standard & Poor's 500 was up six points, or 0.4 percent, to... more »

• Stocks open higher following jump in goods orders

  March 26, 2013 9:05 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street after factory orders for February increased sharply, reflecting a rebound in the aircraft industry. The Commerce Department reported a 5.7 percent surge in overall orders durable goods, the biggest increase in five months. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 66 points,... more »

• Stocks open higher on Wall Street; Adobe jumps

  March 20, 2013 9:06 AM

  Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street as the European island nation of Cyprus seeks alternatives to a bailout plan its legislature overwhelmingly rejected the day before. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 79 points, or 0.6 percent, to 14,535 points shortly after the opening bell Wednesday. The broader... more »

• Upturn in home construction sends stocks higher

  March 19, 2013 8:57 AM

  NEW YORK- A surprisingly strong increase in new home construction is sending stocks higher in early trading on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 40 points, or 0.3 percent, to 14,491 shortly after the opening bell Tuesday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up two points, or... more »

• Stocks drop after turmoil in Cyprus sinks the euro

  March 18, 2013 8:49 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are slumping on Wall Street and Europe after shock over a proposed tax on bank savings in the tiny Mediterranean nation of Cyprus sent the euro sinking against other currencies. The measures being proposed in Cyprus are stoking fears of bank runs in the other 16 nations... more »

• Dow trading at new record high

  March 5, 2013 10:34 AM

  NEW YORK- With a jump of more than 100 points in early trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has moved into territory it's never seen before. The jump to an all-time high for the blue-chip average was powered in part by China's strong economic growth targets, and by a jump... more »

• Stocks open lower as China reins in housing

  March 4, 2013 9:07 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street following a downturn in China after that country announced new steps to cool down its booming housing market. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 44 points to 14,045 shortly after the opening bell. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell two... more »

• Stocks slide following Dow's rally to 14,000

  February 4, 2013 11:00 AM

  Stocks are falling on Wall Street after the Dow Jones industrial average hit its highest level since the financial crisis last week. The Dow was off 118 points at 13,891 shortly before noon Eastern time. Travelers and Merck fell the most of the 30 stocks in the index. The Standard... more »

• Dow edges lower, still headed for stellar January

  January 31, 2013 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- The Dow drifted lower Thursday, but stayed on track for its best start to the year in more than two decades. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 23 points to 13,887 as of 11:51 a.m. The index has gained 6 percent so far this month, putting it in... more »

• Stocks edge lower after economy report

  January 30, 2013 10:58 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are little changed after a report that showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly contracted in the fourth quarter, putting the brakes on a January rally that has lifted stocks toward record levels. The Dow Jones industrial average is down 2 points to 13,952 as of midday... more »

• Stocks edge higher, pushing Dow toward 14,000

  January 29, 2013 10:52 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks edged higher on Wall Street, pushing the Dow toward 14,000, as investors digested the latest round of earnings and economic reports. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 57 points to 13,939 points. The Standard and Poor's 500 rose 4 points to 1,505 points. The Nasdaq composite dropped... more »

• Stocks surge after last-minute budget deal reached

  January 2, 2013 12:09 PM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are sharply higher on Wall Street after lawmakers reached a last-minute budget agreement to avert sweeping tax increases and cuts to government spending programs. The Dow is off its highs of the day, but remained up more than 200 points in early afternoon trading. The Dow... more »

• Stocks mixed as investors work through jobs report

  December 7, 2012 11:52 AM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are trading mixed on Wall Street as investors work through the government's latest jobs report. It turns out Superstorm Sandy didn't have as much of an impact on the employment picture last month as economists had expected. The government says the storm played only a minimal... more »

• Stocks slip as worries about fiscal cliff return

  November 12, 2012 12:19 PM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are slipping in midday trading on Wall Street, erasing an early gain, as investors again turn their focus to the approaching "fiscal cliff." Trading was light. The federal government and U.S. bond trading were closed for Veterans Day. Huge government spending cuts and tax increases are... more »

• Wall Street still dark, exchanges test systems

  October 30, 2012 10:24 AM

  NEW YORK - With lower Manhattan still largely without power Tuesday, U.S. stock exchanges tested contingency plans to ensure trading resumes as soon as possible this week after Hurricane Sandy smashed into the East Coast and shut down operations. U.S. markets will be closed for a second day, but... more »

• Stocks fall on weak construction, factory reports

  September 4, 2012 10:59 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are falling on Wall Street following reports that construction spending and manufacturing have weakened in the U.S. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 86 points at 13,004 shortly before midday Tuesday. The broader S&P 500 index fell seven points to 1,399 and the Nasdaq composite fell... more »

• Facebook stock near half of public offering value

  August 17, 2012 11:01 AM

  NEW YORK- Facebook's stock has come a penny short of hitting $19 for the first time, meaning it has nearly lost half of its market value since its public offering in May. It hit $19.01 on Friday, a day after the expiration of a lock-up period that has provided some... more »

• Stock market is ending the week on a sour note

  August 10, 2012 10:58 AM

  NEW YORK- After months of worrying about Europe, now investors are getting concerned about Asia too. U.S. stocks are trading lower at midday Friday, after unsettling reports that China's economy is slowing. The Dow Jones industrial average is down 15 points to 13,150. The Standard & Poor's 500 is down... more »

• Stocks waver, with hard-to-read signs on economy

  August 9, 2012 11:29 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are dawdling between small gains and losses as investors are unable to decide what to focus on: encouraging news about the U.S. economy, or worrisome signs from China and elsewhere. At midday Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 44 points at 13,128. The Standard... more »

• US stocks waver ahead of Fed meeting

  August 1, 2012 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are wavering at midday, pulled between disparate signs about the economy and company earnings. The moves are small, with two of the major indexes rising slightly and one inching down. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 37 points to 13,045. The Standard & Poor's 500... more »

• US stocks falling for 3rd day on lower earnings

  July 24, 2012 11:00 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are sliding following weak earnings from United Parcel Service and other major U.S. companies. The market was headed for its third loss in a row. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 119 points to 12,603 at midday Tuesday. The Standard & Poor's 500 fell 12 points to... more »

• Stocks waver after Bernanke says economy is weak

  July 17, 2012 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- The stock market wavered after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave a grim assessment of the economy. Stronger earnings reports from Mattel, Coca-Cola and other big companies pushed those stocks higher Tuesday. Bernanke said weak economic growth likely means the unemployment rate will be slow to drop. But... more »

• JPMorgan leads Dow Jones average to a big gain

  July 13, 2012 11:03 AM

  NEW YORK- Big banks are leading stocks sharply higher on Wall Street. Strong earnings from JPMorgan sent its stock up 5 percent, the biggest gain in the Dow Jones industrial average. The Dow jumped 184 points to 12,757 shortly before noon Eastern. The Dow is coming off a six-day slump,... more »

• A weak open on Wall Street as Italy's rates soar

  June 13, 2012 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S stocks are struggling for direction, with the debt maelstrom in Europe as an ominous backdrop. Major stock indexes opened lower, then edged higher but just for a short time. Shortly before noon Wednesday, the Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor's 500 were down, while... more »

• Better news on wholesalers sends stocks higher

  June 8, 2012 11:13 AM

  Stocks are higher at midday after the government said businesses are restocking their shelves at a faster pace than analysts had expected. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 19 points at 12,480. The Standard & Poor's 500 index is up almost two points to 1,317, and the Nasdaq composite... more »

• Facebook stock slips even as broader market gains

  June 7, 2012 10:52 AM

  NEW YORK- Facebook's deflated stock is inching lower once again even as the broader market is advancing. The stock fell 40 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $26.41 in late morning trading Thursday. It's down 30 percent from its initial public offering price of $38. Facebook's stock began trading publicly on... more »

• Dow leaps, is on track for a second day of gains

  June 6, 2012 11:15 AM

  NEW YORK- A 200-point charge turned the Dow Jones industrial average positive for the year following a dismal stretch in May. The Dow is up 208 points at 12,337 shortly before noon. All 30 Dow stocks were higher, led by Bank of America, up 7 percent. The last time the... more »

• US stocks waver as emergency call on Europe starts

  June 5, 2012 11:02 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are struggling for direction. The Institute for Supply Management reported that U.S. service companies, which employ roughly 90 percent of the work force, grew at a slightly faster pace in May, temporarily propping up major stock indexes. Worries about Europe are not far from anyone's mind.... more »

• US stocks inch lower, calm returns to market

  June 4, 2012 11:03 AM

  NEW YORK - U.S. stocks are trading modestly lower at midday as calm returns to the market after a spasm of fearful selling last week. The Dow Jones industrial average opened at its lowest level since December Monday after a 275-point sell-off on Friday caused by grim economic signals, especially... more »

• Dow, S&P 500 slump on weak economic reports

  May 31, 2012 10:57 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are falling at midday, promising another nerve-wracking day for investors who just endured one of the worst losses of the year. The Dow Jones industrial average is down 59 points to 12,360, after losing as much as 104 points earlier. The Dow plunged 161 the day... more »

• Facebook stock climbs, still down from IPO

  May 30, 2012 1:09 PM

  NEW YORK - Facebook's stock is getting some relief, inching higher following a steep decline in the wake of its initial public offering. Shares of Facebook Inc. are up 43 cents to $29.27 in morning trading on Wednesday. That's still down about 23 percent from its IPO price of $38.... more »

• US stocks plummet as outlook in Europe dims

  May 30, 2012 12:10 PM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are opening sharply lower as concerns about the stability of Europe's financial system return to the fore. The European Union's government said early Wednesday that confidence across that continent fell sharply this month. Traders sold bonds issued by debt-saddled European governments, pushing those nations' borrowing costs... more »

• Facebook's stock falls below $30 for first time

  May 29, 2012 11:10 AM

  NEW YORK- Facebook's stock has fallen below $30 for the first time. The stock fell $2.01, or 6.3 percent, to $29.90 in midday trading Tuesday. That's down 21 percent since its much-awaited public stock debut this month. It went as low as $29.65. Facebook Inc. began trading publicly on May... more »

• Markets are mixed ahead of long holiday weekend

  May 25, 2012 11:11 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are drifting between small gains and losses in midday trading as investors focused on Europe's debt situation. The 17 countries that use the euro are struggling over what to do if Greece leaves the union, and how much they should do to try to prevent that. Trading... more »

• H-P leads Dow average; indexes waver

  May 24, 2012 10:59 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are flipping between slight gains and losses in midday trading. Hewlett-Packard jumped 4 percent, leading the Dow Jones industrial average Thursday. The personal computer maker plans to purge 27,000 employees, nearly 8 percent of the company's payroll. H-P expects the layoffs, part of a turnaround program under... more »

• US stocks open lower as European leaders meet

  May 23, 2012 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- Markets are swooning in Europe and the U.S. as investors become increasingly skeptical that European leaders will succeed at jump-starting the region's economy and preventing a messy exit from the euro by Greece. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 164 points at 12,339 shortly before midday Wednesday.... more »

• Stocks turn higher after housing report

  May 22, 2012 11:02 AM

  NEW YORK- An encouraging report on the housing market is pushing most stocks higher, while Facebook takes another fall. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 48 points to 12,552 shortly before noon. Stock indexes traded flat until the National Association of Realtors said Americans bought more previously owned houses... more »

• Stocks gain on Wall Street; Facebook falls

  May 21, 2012 11:03 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are rising, shaking off their worst weekly performance since November, as investors latched on to a relatively optimistic report from economists. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 78 points to 12,448 after six days of losses. If it finishes the day with a gain, it... more »

• US stocks edge lower on Europe worries

  May 18, 2012 11:01 AM

  It looks like it will take more than Facebook's initial public offering to push stocks into positive territory. Facebook shares were trading at $40 a few minutes after starting trading, $2 higher than their offering price. In midday trading Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 32 points at... more »

• Stocks lower as Europe overshadows jobs data

  May 17, 2012 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are slipping as unease about Europe overshadows an encouraging report on unemployment claims and good results from big retailers including Wal-Mart Stores. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 65 points at 12,533 just before noon Thursday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell nine points to... more »

• Stocks inch higher but worries about Europe linger

  May 16, 2012 11:10 AM

  NEW YORK- Hopes that the U.S. housing market is starting to recover sent stocks edging higher on Wall Street. The market's gains are being held back by continuing worries that Greece's political deadlock could fracture the European Union and roil global markets. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 20 points... more »

• US stocks waver; euro dives on Greece turmoil

  May 15, 2012 11:22 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are modestly higher at midday as conflicting news about the economy and a Greek political stalemate bat the indexes between small gains and losses. The euro and European stocks plunged as trading in New York began Tuesday after efforts to form a government in Greece collapsed.... more »

• Stocks, euro drop as deadlock continues in Greece

  May 14, 2012 11:00 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are falling as a political stalemate in Greece rattles financial markets worldwide. The price of oil and Treasury yields hit their lowest levels of the year in midday trading Monday. The euro sank to a three-month low against the dollar. The Dow Jones industrial average is... more »

• US stocks drop sharply as Europe woes deepen

  May 14, 2012 8:09 AM

  NEW YORK - U.S. stocks opened sharply lower as Europe wrestles with what to do next about the financial crises in Greece. Minutes after the opening bell Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 107 points to 12,712. The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped 13 points to 1,340.... more »

• Stock market inches higher despite bank slump

  May 11, 2012 11:02 AM

  Stocks are slightly higher at midday in spite of JPMorgan's surprise $2 billion trading loss, which has rattled shares of investment banks. Shortly before noon Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 37 points at 12,892. The Standard & Poor's 500 index is up five points at 1,363. The... more »

• Dow on its way to breaking six-day losing streak

  May 10, 2012 11:03 AM

  Stocks are up at midday, putting the Dow Jones industrial average on track to break a six-day losing streak. The rise came after the government said claims for unemployment benefits edged lower last week. Investors had been worried that a strong start to hiring this year was coming to an... more »

• US stocks under pressure after European elections

  May 7, 2012 11:10 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are under pressure after angry voters in Greece and France rejected painful budget cuts demanded by international lenders. Investors are uncertain over how the results will affect Europe's plans to rein in spending and keep the euro zone's debt crisis from worsening. The Dow Jones industrial... more »

• Wall Street's " bad boy" sentenced

  May 3, 2012 5:48 PM

  NEW YORK - A former investment manager known as Wall Street's "bad boy" has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Ross Mandell was sentenced in New York on Thursday for his conviction on charges he defrauded U.S. and European investors of $140 million. He was convicted last year on... more »

• Bad news about jobs spooks markets

  May 2, 2012 11:16 AM

  NEW YORK- Investors are homing in on bad news about jobs in the U.S. and Europe. Stocks are down at midday, erasing the hope generated the day before about a brisk May for the market. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 48 points to 13,230 in midday trading Wednesday. The... more »

• Stocks higher on better manufacturing report

  May 1, 2012 11:04 AM

  NEW YORK- A strong manufacturing report is pushing stocks higher. The Dow Jones industrial average is on track to close at its highest level in more than four years. U.S. manufacturing expanded last month at the fastest pace since last June, according to the Institute for Supply Management. Orders, hiring... more »

• US stocks slide on economic tremors from Europe

  April 23, 2012 11:01 AM

  NEW YORK- A collection of worrying news out of Europe is sending stocks lower in midday trading. New reports out Monday showed that European government debt continues to pile up despite severe budget cuts that have led to unrest across the continent. European markets fell hard. In the U.S., the... more »

• Wall Street rebounds

  April 11, 2012 5:54 PM

  NEW YORK - Wall Street has ended its five-day losing streak. One day after falling 214 points, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 89. The Nasdaq composite climbed 25 points and the S&P 500 rose 10. more »

• Stocks continue to spiral down for a fifth day

  April 10, 2012 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are sliding on disappointing news about the U.S. economy, extending a losing streak that could turn into the year's longest so far. The Dow Jones industrial average is down 88 points to 12,842 at midday. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 is down 10 points to 1,372.... more »

• Stocks tumble after jobs report

  April 9, 2012 6:09 PM

  NEW YORK - Investors have had a three-day weekend to brood over disappointing job growth in March. When they got back to work today and delivered their verdict, it wasn't good. Stocks closed sharply lower, sending the Dow and S&P 500 to only their second four-day losing streak this year.... more »

• US stocks struggle for direction

  March 12, 2012 11:15 AM

  NEW YORK - Greece is closer to fending off default, but that hasn't given U.S. markets much of a boost. Stocks struggled for direction after the country announced that its investors would agree to take big losses on the Greek government bonds they hold. That should help Greece avoid... more »

• Biggest drop of year for Dow as US market slumps

  March 6, 2012 11:01 AM

  U.S. stocks are down sharply at midday after steep losses in Europe. The Dow Jones industrial average is down 165 points. That is its biggest decline during a trading day this year. Just before noon EST, the Dow was down 1.3 percent to 12,798. The biggest decline for the Dow... more »

• Dow trying for 13,000 again after morning dip

  February 27, 2012 11:02 AM

  The Dow Jones industrial average is taking another shot at 13,000. The Dow is hovering around the mark in midday trading. It broke through 13,000 in late morning Monday, just as it did several times last week. But it hasn't closed above 13,000 since May 2008. The Dow is up... more »

• Stocks rise at midday, erasing an early loss

  February 23, 2012 11:10 AM

  NEW YORK- U.S. stocks are up after falling in early trading, boosted by encouraging jobs data. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 46 points to 12,985 at midday. Earlier Thursday it rose to within four points of 13,000. The Standard & Poor's 500 is up 3 points to 1,361,... more »

• Dow breaks 13,000 for first time since '08 crisis

  February 21, 2012 11:14 AM

  NEW YORK- The Dow Jones industrial average crossed 13,000 but didn't stay there long. It was the first time the Dow moved above that level since May 2008, when the Lehman Brothers investment bank was still solvent and before the worst phase of the financial crisis. The milestone came about... more »

• US stocks fall as Greek bailout debate winds on

  February 14, 2012 11:05 AM

  NEW YORK- Stocks are falling on Wall Street in midday trading, weighed down by continuing economic struggles in Europe. The Dow Jones industrial average slid 14 points to 12,860 at midday Tuesday. Bank of America led the Dow lower with a decline of 2.4 percent. The Standard & Poor's 500... more »

• Stock futures edge higher on euro optimism

  February 8, 2012 8:53 AM

  NEW YORK - U.S. stock futures are advancing on hope that a long-awaited deal to allow Greece to claim its second bailout is near despite another delay in discussions between the country's political leaders. Dow futures are up 17 points at 12,848. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 futures are... more »

• Wall Street opens lower as Greek talks drag on

  February 6, 2012 8:53 AM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are opening lower as talks dragged on between Greek political leaders over a fresh austerity package required for the country to get more bailout loans. Minutes after the opening bell Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 42 points to 12,819. Intel led the Dow... more »

• Stocks flat on first day of earnings season

  January 10, 2012 9:12 AM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are in a holding pattern on Wall Street. Among other things, traders are looking ahead to the unofficial start of corporate earnings season, which comes after the closing bell when Alcoa Inc. releases its fourth-quarter results. They're also keeping an eye on the continuing debt crisis... more »

• Judge rules against Occupy Wall Street encampment

  November 15, 2011 5:28 PM

  NEW YORK - A New York judge has upheld the city's dismantling of the Occupy Wall Street encampment, saying the protesters' first amendment rights don't entitle them to camp out indefinitely in the plaza. The judge denied a motion by the demonstrators seeking to be allowed back into the... more »

• Occupy Wall Street movement spreads to BR

  October 22, 2011 4:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The Occupy Wall Street movement, that has spread to more than 900 cities worldwide, came to the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol today. Dozens of protesters, some with signs in hand, joined to share their views on different issues. "The top one percent of the... more »

• Stocks sharply higher

  August 23, 2011 12:37 PM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are sharply higher in midday trading for the second day in a row. Exxon Mobil Corp. rose the most of the 30 stocks in the Dow Jones industrial average on Tuesday, gaining 2.8 percent. Chevron Corp. rose 2.7 percent. Bank of America Corp.... more »

• Stock drop affects retirement plans

  August 8, 2011 10:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Another major down-day on Wall Street has left your 401K taking another huge hit. And you've had lots of questions about what will happen next. We took questions you posted on News 2's Facebook page to financial experts. The first answer from our experts: Don't... more »

• US markets fall sharply after S&P downgrade

  August 8, 2011 1:34 PM

  NEW YORK - The decision of a credit rating agency to downgrade the U.S. government's rating is jolting Wall Street today, and markets around the world. The Dow has been down by more than 500 points in afternoon trading. S&P downgraded the long-term U.S. government credit rating by... more »

• Stocks plunge on fears of global economic slowdown

  August 4, 2011 3:45 PM

  NEW YORK - The news just keeps getting worse on Wall Street, where the Dow industrials have finished the day more than 500 points lower. The steep selloff followed the latest sign of weakness in the U.S. economy -- a report that the number of first-time claims for unemployment... more »

• 2011 gains are gone as selloff continues

  August 4, 2011 11:25 AM

  NEW YORK - Stocks are plunging in another broad sell-off as investors grow concerned about an economic slowdown in the U.S. and Europe. The Dow Jones industrial average dove more than 350 points, erasing its gains for the year. The latest sign of weakness in the U.S. economy... more »

• What goes into creating the price of gas?

  March 7, 2011 10:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Up, up and away gas prices continue to rise across the Capitol City and the country. But what adds up to equal those numbers posted at the pumps? The Department of Energy says the literal cost of crude oil makes up only half of the cost.... more »

• Oil prices hit $90 milestone

  December 7, 2010 11:34 AM

  NEW YORK - Oil prices on Tuesday jumped above $90 a barrel for the first time in more than two years, a key milestone for Wall Street analysts who say tightening supplies will eventually send prices above the $100 mark next year. The recent surge in oil pushed gasoline... more »

• Unemployment claims drop sharply

  October 28, 2010 9:15 AM

  Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the second drop in a row and a hopeful sign the job market could be improving. The Labor Department said initial claims for jobless benefits dropped by 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 434,000 in the week that ended Oct. 33. ... more »

• Stocks extend rally ahead of Fed meeting

  September 20, 2010 9:11 AM

  Stocks extended their September rally into a fourth week Monday as traders looked toward the Federal Reserve's meeting later this week. The Dow Jones industrial rose 73 points in early morning trading. Broader indexes also rose. There is growing expectation the Fed's rate-setting committee might relaunch programs to... more »

• Obama names consumer advocate Warren to new post

  September 17, 2010 1:09 PM

  President Barack Obama has named Wall Street critic Elizabeth Warren to help oversee creation of a new agency to look out for the interests of consumers in their dealings with banks, mortgage companies and other financial institutions. Obama says the agency was Warren's idea so it only makes sense... more »

• Jobless claims rise to highest level in 9 months

  August 19, 2010 8:45 AM

  New applications for unemployment insurance reached the half-million mark last week for the first time since November, a sign that employers are cutting jobs again as the recovery slows. The Labor Department said initial claims for jobless benefits rose by 12,000 last week to 500,000, the fourth increase in... more »

• World stock markets mostly lower after decline on Wall Street

  June 2, 2010 7:55 AM

  World stock markets were mostly lower after Tuesday's decline on Wall Street. Weighing on the markets are concerns about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, mounting tensions in the Middle East following Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship and worries over an economic showdown in China. more »

• Investigation into stock market circles around "circuit breakers"

  May 10, 2010 11:02 AM

  The major securities exchanges are considering adopting a uniform system of "circuit breakers" to slow trading during rapid market swings, a response to last week's historic stock plunge. The heads of the biggest exchanges were to discuss the topic Monday at a meeting with federal regulators, according to two... more »

• Stocks soaring on news of EU plant to fight debt

  May 10, 2010 8:42 AM

  A plan to combat Europe's spreading debt crisis has sent stocks soaring. The European Union has agreed to put up $1 trillion to protect the euro and shore up member economies. Stocks surged in Europe and in early trading on Wall Street the Dow Jones was up my... more »

• Stocks finish with gains

  April 23, 2010 8:34 PM

  Stocks finished with the eighth consecutive weekly gain. The Dow Jones jumped 70 points to 11,204. The S&P added 9 and the Nasdaq rose 11 points. more »

• Stocks see gains on Wall Street

  March 2, 2010 8:30 PM

  Stocks saw modest gains on Wall Street today. The Dow closed up 2 points, to 10, 406. The S&P increased nearly 3 points, and the Nasdaq rose 7 points. more »

• Stocks end the week up

  February 26, 2010 7:35 PM

  The stock market closed slightly higher today after a volatile week on Wall Street. The Dow was up 4 points to 10,325. The S&P gained nearly 2 points, while the Nasdaq gained 4 points. more »