Markets Close Lower Over Rate Hike Fears

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke expressed confidence in the economy's productivity fostering fears of further rate hikes. The markets closed in the negative with the Dow easing 2 points to 11,381 while Nasdaq slipped 2 points to 2184. S&P 500 held steady at 1304. The 30-year bond rose as the yield edged down to 4.878%.

Markets Flat At Midday

The markets traded near the flat line during the midday despite upbeat retail sales. The Dow added a point to 11,384 while Nasdaq held steady at 2186. S&P 500 eased a point to 1304. The 30-year bond rose as the yield edged down to 4.892%.

Markets Close Higher As Oil Prices Retreat

The markets eked out modest gains to close higher as oil prices retreated. The Dow rose 13 points to 11,383 while Nasdaq climbed 13 points to 2186. S&P 500 held steady at 1304 while the 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.912%.

Rising Oil Supplies Lifts Markets

Rising oil inventories lifted the markets above the flat line during the midday with the Dow gaining 6 points to 11,376. Nasdaq added 11 points to 2183 while the S&P 500 slipped a point to 1304. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.919%.

Markets Close Modestly Higher

The markets closed modestly higher even though minutes released from the Federal Reserve's last meeting indicated that more interest rate hikes are looming. The Dow gained 18 points to 11,370 while Nasdaq climbed 12 points to 2172. S&P 500 added 3 points to 1304. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.93%.

Markets Lower As Consumer Confidence Drops

An unexpectedly sharp drop in consumer confidence weighed down the markets during the midday with the Dow falling 31 points to 11,321. Nasdaq tumbled 10 points to 2151 while S&P 500 lost 4 points to 1297. The 30-year bond eased as the yield edged up to 4.974%.

Markets Close Higher As Oil Drops

Oil prices tumbled nearly $2 a barrel as it appeared likely that Tropical Storm Ernesto would miss oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. The Dow climbed 68 points to 11,352 while Nasdaq jumped 20 points to 2161. S&P 500 added 7 points to 1302. The 30-year bond eased as the yield edged up to 4.934%.

Oil Prices Tumble Lifting Markets

The markets climbed during the midday as crude oil prices tumbled. The Dow surged 74 points to 11,358 while Nasdaq gained 19 points to 2159. S&P 500 rose 7 points to 1302. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.942%.

Markets Mixed Over Rate Hike Fears

The markets closed mixed after comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke failed to alleviate fears of further interest rate hikes. The Dow dropped 20 points to 11,284. Nasdaq rose 3 points to 2140 while S&P 500 lost a point to 1295. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.932%.

Markets Mixed Over Fed Chief Comments

The markets traded mixed during the midday over ambiguous comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The Dow fell 28 points to 11,277 while Nasdaq added 2 points to 2139. S&P 500 slipped a point to 1295. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.931%.

Markets Close Higher

The markets closed barely above the flat line as the sluggish economy fueled speculation that interest rate hikes have come to an end. The Dow added 7 points to 11,304 while Nasdaq edged up 2 points to 2137. S&P 500 rose 3 points to 1296. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.939%.

Markets Lower Over Soft Economy

Investors concerned about a struggling economy sent the markets lower with the Dow slipping 16 points to 11,282. Nasdaq fell 9 points to 2126 while S&P 500 held steady at 1293. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.937%.

Slowing Housing Sends Markets To Lower Close

Concerns that the slowing housing market could precipitate a recession sent the markets to a lower close with the Dow losing 42 points to 11,298. Nasdaq tumbled 15 points to 2135 while S&P 500 fell 6 points to 1293. The 30-year bond held steady at 4.95%.

Markets Lower As Home Sales Drop

Falling home sales sent the markets lower during the midday with the Dow tumbling 42 points to 11,298. Nasdaq dropped 13 points to 2137 while S&P 500 lost 5 points to 1293. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.973%.

Markets Close Flat Over Fears Of Rate Hikes

The markets closed near the flat line after Chicago Federal Reserve President Michael Moskow warned that further interest rate increases are possible. The Dow lost 5 points to 11,340 while Nasdaq added 2 points to 2150. S&P 500 edged up a point to 1299. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.95%.

Markets Modestly Higher At Midday

The markets traded modestly higher during the midday with the Dow gaining 14 points to 11,359. Nasdaq rose 10 points to 2158 while S&P 500 added a point to 1298. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.947%.

Surging Oil Leads To Lower Close

The markets closed modestly lower as crude oil prices surged above $72 a barrel to settle at $72.45 a barrel. The Dow lost 36 points to 11,345 while Nasdaq dropped 16 points to 2148. S&P 500 slipped 5 points to 1298. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.964%.

Markets Lower As Oil Prices Rise

Rising oil prices weighed down the markets during the midday with the Dow falling 33 points to 11,348. Nasdaq dropped 15 points to 2149 while the S&P 500 lost 4 points to 1299. The 30-year bond held steady at 4.973%.

Markets Close Higher Despite Falling Sentiment

The markets closed higher despite falling consumer sentiment with the Dow gaining 47 points to 11,381. Nasdaq added 6 points to 2164 while S&P 500 rose 5 points to 1302. The 30-year bond climbed as the yield eased to 4.973%.

Markets Near Flatline

Preliminary readings of consumer sentiment by the University of Michigan fell to their lowest levels since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina while economists raised inflation concerns amid a slowing economy. The Dow added 8 points to 11,343 while Nasdaq lost 5 points to 2153. S&P 500 edged up a point to 1298. The 30-year bond rose as the yield slipped to 4.976%.

Markets Close Up As Oil Goes Down

The markets closed modestly higher as crude oil prices tumbled to settle at $70.06. The Dow added 8 points to 11,335 while Nasdaq gained 8 points to 2158. S&P 500 added 2 points to 1297. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.999%.

Falling Oil Lifts Markets At Midday

Falling crude oil prices lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 42 points to 11,369. Nasdaq rose 17 points to 2167 while S&P 500 added 4 points to 1300. The 30-year bond rose as the yield slipped to 4.997%.

Slowing Economy Lifts Markets To Higher Close

Further evidence of a softening economy boosted the markets to a higher close with the Dow soaring 97 points to 11,327. Nasdaq surged 35 points to 2150 while S&P 500 rose 10 points to 1295. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 5.001%.

Markets Extend Rally

Slowing inflation eased worries of future interest rate hikes which would otherwise curb economic growth. Bonds rallied while oil prices fell amid the ceasefire in Lebanon. The Dow extended its rally with a 58 point gain to 11,288 while Nasdaq added 19 points to 2134. S&P 500 rose 6 points to 1291. The 30-year bond climbed as the yield eased to 5.002%.

Markets Mixed Over Slowing Job Growth

The markets traded mixed during the midday as job creation slowed. The Dow climbed 34 points to 11,276 while Nasdaq slipped 4 points to 2,089. The S&P 500 added 2 points to 1,282. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.998%.

Markets Close Higher On Retail Sales

Upbeat retail sales results lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow rising 43 points to 11,243. Nasdaq climbed 14 points to 2,092 while S&P 500 added 2 points to 1,280. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 5.035%.

Markets Near Flatline

The markets traded near the flatline during the midday as investors digested retail sales figures. The Dow added 2 points to 11,202 while Nasdaq lost 7 points to 2,072. The S&P 500 slipped 3 points to 1,275. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 5.059%.

Earnings Lift Markets Higher

Strong earnings news lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow surging 87 points to 11,213 while Nasdaq jumped 24 points to 2,086. The S&P 500 climbed 11 points to 1,282. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 5.07%.

Inflation Fears Weigh Down Markets

Fears of yet another interest rate hike weighed down the markets with the Dow dropping 60 points to 11,126. Nasdaq tumbled 29 points to 2,062 while S&P 500 lost 6 points to 1,271. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 5.069%.

Markets Down Over Inflation Concerns

Rising inflation and sluggish consumer spending triggered an early sell-off as investors continued to mull over a mixed batch of corporate earnings news. The Dow tumbled 82 points to 11,104 while Nasdaq plunged 31 points to 2,061. S&P 500 lost 8 points to 1,268. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 5.077%.