Markets Close Near Flatline

The markets recovered earlier losses to close near the flatline with the Dow easing 5 points to 12,222. Nasdaq held steady at 2432 while S&P 500 added a point to 1401. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield slipped to 4.561%.

Mixed Sales Weighs Down Markets

Mixed November retail sales results weighed down the markets during the midday with the Dow falling 45 points to 12,182. Nasdaq lost 4 points to 2428 while S&P 500 slipped 2 points to 1397. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.575%.

Upbeat GDP Lifts Markets To Higher Close

The markets closed higher as the nation's economy expanded at a greater than expected pace in the third quarter. The Dow jumped 90 points to 12,227 while Nasdaq surged 20 points to 2432. S&P 500 climbed 13 points to 1399. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.612%.

Strong GDP Lifts Markets Higher

The markets continued to advance during the midday on a stronger than expected GDP report. The Dow soared 85 points to 12,221 while Nasdaq climbed 20 points to 2433. S&P 500 gained 12 points to 1399. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.598%.

Markets Close Higher As Home Sales Rise

A modest gain in home sales lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow rising 15 points to 12,136. Nasdaq climbed 7 points to 2413 while S&P 500 added 5 points to 1387. The 30-year bond edged up as the yield eased to 4.596%.

Markets Near Flat At Midday

The markets traded barely above the flatline during the midday as home sales edged up. The Dow added 5 points to 12,127 while Nasdaq rose a point to 2407. S&P 500 gained 3 points to 1385. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.598%.

Markets Plunge to Four Month Low

Rising oil prices and concerns about the retail industry sent the markets skidding to a close with the Dow plummeting 158 points to 12,122. Nasdaq plunged 54 points to 2406 while S&P 500 dropped 19 points to 1382. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.618%.

Markets Drop Over Disappointing Online Sales

The markets continued to retreat during the midday as disappointing growth in online sales on Black Friday prompted concerns that Cyber Monday sales would also fall short of expectations. The Dow plummeted 145 points to 12,135 while Nasdaq plunged 46 points to 2415. S&P 500 tumbled 16 points to 1385. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.640%.

Markets Close Lower As Dollar Falls

The markets closed lower as the dollar plunged against other major currencies. The Dow dropped 47 points to 12,280 while Nasdaq lost 6 points to 2460. S&P 500 slipped 5 points to 1401. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.629%.

Markets Close Higher As Oil Falls

Falling oil prices boosted the markets above the flatline before the Thanksgiving holiday. The Dow added 5 points to 12,327 while Nasdaq gained 11 points to 2466. S&P 500 rose 3 points to 1406. The 30-year bond edged up as the yield eased to 4.651%.

Markets Mixed At Midday

The markets traded mixed during the midday despite falling oil prices as consumer sentiment dropped. The Dow lost 3 points to 12,319 while Nasdaq added 6 points to 2461. S&P 500 added a point to 1404. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.648%.

Markets Close Above Flatline

Despite a rise in oil prices, the markets closed barely above the flatline as shares of Google surged over $500. The Dow added 5 points to 12,322 while Nasdaq gained 2 points to 2455. S&P 500 rose 2 points to 1403. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.658%.

Google Lifts Markets Higher

The markets traded modestly higher during the midday as Google shares soared above $500. The Dow gained 13 points to 12,330 while Nasdaq added 2 points to 2455. S&P 500 edged up 2 points to 1402. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.674%.

Mixed Close For Markets As Home Sales Tumble

The markets closed mixed as home sales tumbled. The Dow fell 26 points to 12,317 while Nasdaq gained 7 points to 2453. S&P 500 slipped a point to 1401. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.677%.

Markets Up Over Mergers

Merger news lifted the markets above the flat line during the midday with the Dow adding a point to 12,344. Nasdaq rose 7 points to 2453 while S&P 500 edged up a point to 1402. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.601%.

Markets Closed Mixed Over Home Construction

The markets closed mixed over a steep drop in new home construction. The Dow rose 37 points to 12,343 while Nasdaq lost 3 points to 2446. S&P 500 added a point to 1401. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.691%.

Markets Mixed At Midday As Home Construction Plunges

The markets traded mixed during the midday as new home construction plunged to a six year low. The Dow gained 10 points to 12,316 while Nasdaq lost 9 points to 2440. S&P 500 held steady at 1400. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.69%.

Markets Close Higher As Oil Falls Below $57

The markets closed higher as crude oil prices retreated to settle at $56.26, its lowest level in a year. The Dow gained 54 points to 12,306 while Nasdaq added 6 points to 2449. S&P 500 rose 3 points to 1400. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.733%.

Falling Inflation Lifts Markets Higher

Falling inflation lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 45 points to 12,297. Nasdaq added 3 points to 2446 while S&P 500 gained 4 points to 1401. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.743%.

Markets Close Higher As Economy Lands Softly

Investors relieved that the Federal Reserve sees the economy coming to a soft landing lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow climbing 34 points to set another record close of 12,252. Nasdaq gained 12 points to 2443 while S&P 500 added 3 points to 1397. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.695%.

Markets Higher Over Possible Airline Merger

U. S. Airways' unsolicited bid for Delta lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow rising 43 points to 12,261. Nasdaq gained 17 points to 2447 while S&P 500 added 6 points to 1399. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.69%.

Markets Close Higher As Stable Rate Policy Endorsed

The markets recovered earlier losses to close higher after a Federal Reserve official commented that maintaining stable interest rates is the right policy. The Dow soared 86 points to close at a record 12,218 while Nasdaq surged 24 points to 2431. S&P 500 rose 9 points to 1393. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.660%.

Markets Lower At Midday As Sales Fall

A drop in October retail sales weighed down the markets during the midday with the Dow fallling 36 points to 12,096. Nasdaq slipped 6 points to 2400 while S&P 500 lost 4 points to 1381. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.669%.

Markets Close Higher As Oil Falls Below $59

Oil prices dipped below $59 a barrel to lift the markets to a higher close with the Dow gaining 23 points to 12,132. Nasdaq climbed 17 points to 2406 while S&P 500 added 4 points to 1384. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.704%.

Falling Oil Prices Lift Markets At Midday

Easing crude oil prices lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 40 points to 12,149. Nasdaq gained 14 points to 2404. S&P 500 added 3 points to 1384. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.727%.

Falling Oil Prices Lift Markets To Higher Close

The markets closed modestly higher as oil prices slipped. The Dow added 5 points to 12,108 while Nasdaq rose 14 points to 2390. S&P 500 gained 3 points to 1381. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.692%.

Markets Mixed As Oil Slips

The markets continued trading in mixed territory as oil prices slipped. The Dow lost 10 points to 12,093 while Nasdaq added 7 points to 2383. S&P 500 held steady at 1378. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.692%.

Markets Close Lower As Oil Rises

The markets closed lower as crude oil prices rose above $61 a barrel. The Dow tumbled 73 points to 12,103 while Nasdaq lost 9 points to 2376. S&P 500 fell 7 points to 1378. The 30-year bond held steady at 4.730%.

Markets Mixed As Trade Deficit Narrows

The markets traded mixed during the midday as oil prices edged up while the trade deficit improved by the largest amount in more than five years. The Dow fell 36 points to 12,140 while Nasdaq gained 11 points to 2396. S&P 500 slipped a point to 1385. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.727%.

Markets Close Higher Over Rumsfeld Resignation

The markets closed higher as Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives and Donald Rumsfeld resigned as Defense Secretary. The Dow added 20 points to close at a new high of 12,177 while Nasdaq rose 9 points to 2385. S&P 500 gained 3 points to 1386. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.730%.

Markets Lower Over Congressional Uncertainty

Investors uncertain about business policies under a Democratic congress sent the markets lower during the midday with the Dow dropping 33 points to 12,124. Nasdaq lost 4 points to 2372 while S&P 500 slipped 3 points to 1380. The 30-year bond held steady at 4.756%.

Election Day Lifts Markets To Higher Close

The markets closed higher in anticipation of election day results. The Dow rose 51 points to 12,157 while Nasdaq gained 10 points to 2376. S&P 500 added 3 points to 1383. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.756%.

Markets Higher Ahead Of Election Results

The markets traded higher during the midday as investors await the results of an election that may shift the balance of power in Washington. The Dow climbed 71 points to 12,176 while Nasdaq gained 19 points to 2385. S&P 500 rose 7 points to 1387. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.739%.

Mergers And Acquisitions Lift Markets To Higher Close

Mergers and acquisitions lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow leaping 120 points to 12,106 while Nasdaq soared 35 points to 2366. S&P 500 climbed 15 points to 1380. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.795%.

Markets Advance Over Mergers And Acquisitions

The markets continued to advance during the midday over mergers and acquisitions news. The Dow surged 100 points to 12,087 while Nasdaq soared 33 points to 2364. S&P 500 climbed 14 points to 1378. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.813%.

Oil Worries Send Markets To Lower Close

Oil production concerns overshadowed a drop in the nation's unemployment rate sending the markets down to a lower close. The Dow fell 33 points to 11,986 while Nasdaq lost 3 points to 2331. S&P 500 fell 3 points to 1364. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.811%.

Oil Concerns Weigh Down Markets

Attacks near Nigerian oil production facilities weighed down the markets during the midday. The Dow fell 31 points to 11,987 while Nasdaq lost 9 points to 2325. S&P 500 slipped 3 points to 1364. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.816%.

Markets Close Lower As Productivity Stagnates

Stagnant productivity pulled the markets down to a lower close with the Dow falling 12 points to 12,019. Nasdaq held steady at 2334 while S&P 500 held steady at 1367. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.714%.

Markets Lower Over Retail Sales

Tepid retail sales weighed down the markets during the midday with the Dow falling 17 point to 12,014 while Nasdaq lost 3 points to 2332. S&P 500 slipped a point to 1367. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.712%.

Markets Close Lower As Manufacturing Weakens

The markets closed lower as growth in manufacturing slowed. The Dow dropped 50 points to 12,031 while Nasdaq tumbled 32 points to 2334. S&P 500 fell 10 points to 1368. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.677%.