Markets Close Lower As Investors Take Profits

Light activity on the final trading day of 2006 ended lower as investors locked in profits. The Dow dropped 38 points to 12,463 while Nasdaq fell 10 points to 2415. S&P 500 lost 6 points to 1418. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.818%.

Markets Flat On Last Trading Day Of 2006

The markets traded near the flatline during the midday with the Dow slipping a point to 12,501. Nasdaq added a point to 2427 while S&P 500 lost a point to 1424. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.818%.

Markets Close Lower Over Rate Concerns

The markets finished the session in negative territory despite a late afternoon rally. Investors focused on strong economic data that opened the possibility of an interest rate hike next year. The Dow lost 9 points to close at 12,501 while Nasdaq fell 5 points to finish at 2425. S&P 500 lost 2 points to 1425. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.813%.

Markets Lower Over Rate Concerns

Fears that a resurging economy will prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates weighed down the markets at midday with the Dow falling 17 points to 12,493. Nasdaq slipped 5 points to 2426 while S&P 500 lost 3 points to 1424. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.827%.

Dow Surges To New Record

Falling oil prices and rising new home sales boosted the markets to a higher close with the Dow surging 103 points to close at a new record of 12,511. Nasdaq soared 18 points to 2431 while S&P 500 gained 10 points to 1427. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.783%.

Markets Close Higher As Oil Slips

A day of light trading closed higher as oil prices slipped. The Dow climbed 64 points to 12,408 while Nasdaq gained 12 points to 2414. S&P 500 rose 6 points to 1417. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.733%.

Markets Close Lower Ahead Of Holiday

The markets closed lower on a light trading day ahead of the Christmas holiday with the Dow tumbling 78 points to 12,343. Nasdaq dropped 15 points to 2401 while S&P 500 lost 8 points to 1411. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.763%.

Markets Lower Even As Spending Rises

The markets traded lower during the midday even as consumer spending rose in November. The Dow tumbled 69 points to 12,349 while Nasdaq fell 13 points to 2403. S&P 500 lost 7 points to 1412. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.758%.

Weak Manufacturing Weighs Down Markets

Weak regional manufacturing activity weighed down the markets to a lower close with the Dow falling 43 points to 12,421 while Nasdaq lost 12 points to 2416. S&P 500 slipped 5 points to 1418. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.691%.

Markets Lower Over Sluggish Economy

Economic growth slowed to a sluggish 2% pace in the July-to-September quarter due to the slumping housing market. The Dow dropped 54 points to 12,410 while Nasdaq fell 13 points to 2415. S&P 500 lost 6 points to 1417. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.720%.

Markets Lower Over Profit Taking

The markets closed modestly lower as investors locked in profits. The Dow lost 7 points to 12,464 while Nasdaq slipped 2 points to 2428. S&P 500 edged down 2 points to 1424. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.725%.

Markets Higher Over Earnings Reports

The markets traded higher during the midday over earnings news. The Dow rose 18 points to 12,490 while Nasdaq added 10 points to 2439. S&P 500 gained 2 points to 1428. The 30-year bond held steady at 4.728%.

Dow Climbs To New High

It was a mixed close for the markets with the Dow climbing 30 points to a new high of 12,471. Nasdaq lost 6 points to 2430 while S&P 500 added 3 points to 1426. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.728%.

Markets Lower As Wholesale Prices Surge

A surprising jump in wholesale prices weighed down the markets during the midday with the Dow falling 20 points to 12,422. Nasdaq tumbled 19 points to 2417 while S&P 500 lost a point to 1421. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.716%.

Markets Close Lower Despite M&A Activity

The markets closed modestly lower despite a flurry of aquisition activity with the Dow slipping 4 points to 12,441. Nasdaq lost 22 points to 2436 while S&P 500 fell 5 points to 1422. The 30-year bond inched up as the yeild eased to 4.711%.

Markets Negative As Trade Deficit Sets Record

The markets turned negative during the midday as record oil prices lifted the trade deficit to a new high for the summer quarter. The Dow slipped 2 points to 12,444 while Nasdaq lost 8 points to 2450. S&P 500 eased 2 points to 1425. The 30-year bond inched up a the yield edged down to 4.709%.

Markets Close Higher Over Mild Inflation

Mild inflation and rising industrial production lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow gaining 29 points to 12,446. Nasdaq added 3 points to 2457 while S&P 500 edged up 2 points to 1427. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.718%.

Industrial Production Lifts Markets

The markets traded higher in the midday as industrial production rose. The Dow gained 40 points to 12,457 while Nasdaq added 6 points to 2460. S&P 500 rose 3 points to 1429. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.689%.

Upbeat Earnings Lift Dow To Record Close

Upbeat earnings news lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow surging 99 points to a record close of 12,417. Nasdaq soared 21 points ot 2454 while S&P 500 climbed 12 points to 1425. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.716%.

Strong Earnings Lift Markets Higher

Strong earnings and falling unemployment claims lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 55 points to 12,373. Nasdaq gained 22 points to 2455 while S&P 500 rose 9 points to 1422. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.699%.

Markets Close Flat As Oil Supplies Fall

The markets closed near the flatline as oil supplies dropped. The Dow added 2 points to 12,318 while Nasdaq edged up a point to 2433. S&P 500 rose 2 points to 1413. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.690%.

Markets Modestly Higher At Midday

The markets posted modest gains during the midday even as a drop in the nation's inventory of crude oil lifted oil prices. The Dow rose 21 points to 12,337 while Nasdaq added a point to 2433. S&P 500 gained 2 points to 1414. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.674%.

Markets Close Lower Even As Rates Maintained

While the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the fourth time in a row, officials expressed concerns about the slowdown in the housing market. The Dow lost 13 points to 12,316 while Nasdaq fell 11 points to 2432. S&P 500 slipped a point to 1412. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.609%.

Markets Lower At Midday

The markets continued to fall during the midday even as investors expect the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady. The Dow dropped 54 points to 12,274 while Nasdaq lost 18 points to 2424. S&P 500 slipped 6 points to 1407. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.627%.

Markets Close Higher Ahead Of Fed Meeting

The markets closed as higher over hopes that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates at their current level. The Dow rose 21 points to 12,328 while Nasdaq gained 6 points to 2443. S&P 500 added 3 points to 1413. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.628%.

Markets Higher Ahead Of Fed Meeting

The markets traded higher during the midday ahead of tomorrow's Fed meeting. The Dow gained 23 points to 12,331 while Nasdaq climbed 13 points to 2450. S&P 500 added 4 points to 1414. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.632%.

Markets Close Higher On Upbeat Jobs Report

The markets closed higher on an upbeat job creations report. The Dow climbed 29 points to 12,307 while Nasdaq gained 10 points ot 2437. S&P 500 added 3 points to 1410. The 30-year bond eased as the yield edged up to 4.661%.

Upbeat Jobs Data Lifts Markets Higher

Upbeat employment data lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow gaining 29 points to 12,307. Nasdaq climbed 12 points to 2440 while S&P 500 added 2 points to 1409. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.635%.

Markets Close Lower As Oil Rises

The markets closed lower as oil prices rose and investors awaited the November job creations report. The Dow dropped 31 points to 12,278 while Nasdaq tumbled 18 points to 2428. S&P 500 lost 6 points to 1407. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.602%.

Markets Mixed At Midday

The markets traded mixed during the midday even as first time applications for unemployment benefits dropped. The Dow added 7 points to 12,317 while Nasdaq slipped 2 points to 2443. S&P 500 held steady at 1413. The 30-year bond edged up as the yield eased to 4.597%.

Markets Close Lower Over Yahoo Changes

Management changes at Yahoo weighed down the markets to close lower with the Dow falling 22 points to 12,309. Nasdaq slipped 7 points to 2446 while S&P 500 lost 2 points to 1413. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.599%.

Yahoo Weighs Down Markets

The markets drifted lower during the midday as investors awaited an employment report while mulling over Yahoo's management changes. The Dow lost 15 points to 12,317 while Nasdaq slipped 6 points to 2446. S&P 500 edged down 2 points to 1413. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.590%.

Markets Close Higher In Hopes Of Rate Cuts

The markets closed higher as slowing productivity growth sparked speculation that the Fed may cut interest rates. The Dow climbed 48 points to 12,332 while Nasdaq gained 4 points to 2452. S&P 500 rose 6 points to 1415. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.568%.

Markets Higher As Inflation Worries Ease

The markets traded higher during the midday as inflation worries eased. The Dow climbed 35 points to 12,319 while Nasdaq gained 4 points to 2452. S&P 500 rose 4 points to 1413. The 30-year bond eased as the yield edged up to 4.573%.

Markets Close Higher On M&A Activity

The markets closed higher on mergers and acquisitions news. The Dow jumped 90 points to 12,284 while Nasdaq surged 35 points to 2448. S&P 500 rose 12 points to 1409. The 30-year bond eased as the yield edged up to 4.548%.

Mergers And Acquisitions Lift Markets

Merger and acquisition news lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow surging 79 points to 12,273. Nasdaq soared 35 points to 2448 while S&P 500 climbed 13 points to 1410. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.538%.

Markets Close Lower As Manufacturing Activity Slows

The markets closed lower as manufacturing activity contracted for the first time in more than three years. The Dow lost 28 points to 12,194 while Nasdaq dropped 19 points to 2413. S&P 500 slipped 4 points to 1397. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.541%.

Slowing Economy Weighs Markets

Declining activity in both the manufacturing and construction sectors weighed down the markets during the midday with the Dow dropping 37 points to 12,185. Nasdaq tumbled 19 points to 2413 while S&P 500 lost 2 points to 1399. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.547%.