Markets Higher As Consumer Confidence Rises

Rising consumer confidence lifted the markets during the midday with the Dow climbing 20 points to 12,511 while Nasdaq gained 3 points to 2444. S&P 500 added 5 points to 1425. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.981%.

Markets Flat Ahead Of Fed Meeting

The markets closed near the flatline despite retreating oil prices as investors focused on the Federal Reserve meeting tomorrow. The Dow added 4 points to 12,491 while Nasdaq rose 6 points to 2441. S&P 500 lost 2 points to 1421. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.982%.

Mergers & Acquisitions Lift Markets Higher

A flurry of mergers and acquisitions boosted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 42 points to 12,529. Nasdaq rose 11 points to 2447 while S&P 500 added 3 points to 1425. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.99%.

Markets Close Mixed As Oil Climbs

The markets closed mixed as oil prices climbed above $55 a barrel and new home sales plunged in 2006. The Dow fell 16 points to 12,487 while Nasdaq added a point to 2435. The S&P 500 lost 2 points to 1422. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.980%.

Markets Lower Over Rate Concerns

The markets traded lower during the midday as strong economic reports dashed hopes of an interest rate cut. The Dow tumbled 47 points to 12,455 while Nasdaq lost a point to 2433. S&P 500 slipped 3 points to 1421. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.967%.

Plunging Home Sales Weigh Down Markets To Lower Close

A sharp drop in 2006 home sales weighed down the markets to a lower close despite upbeat earnings. The Dow plummeted 119 points to 12,503 while Nasdaq plunged 32 points to 2434. S&P 500 tumbled 16 points to 1424. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.96%.

Markets Lower Over Home Sales Plunge

Despite strong earnings news, the markets continued to fall during the midday as 2006 home sales plunged. The Dow dropped 54 points to 12,568 while Nasdaq tumbled 17 points to 2449. S&P 500 fell 14 points to 1426. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.97%.

Strong Earnings Lift Markets To Higher Close

Strong corporate earnings lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow climbing 88 points to 12,622. Nasdaq soared 35 points to 2466 while S&P 500 gained 12 points to 1440. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.910%.

Markets End Higher As Economic Activity Increases

A December gain in economic activity lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow climbing 57 points to 12,534 while Nasdaq held steady at 2431. S&P 500 added 5 points to 1428. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.897%.

Upbeat Earnings Lift Markets Higher

Upbeat corporate earnings lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 45 points to 12,522. Nasdaq gained 10 points to 2441 while S&P 500 rose 8 points to 1431. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.888%.

Earnings Concerns Send Markets To Lower Close

Concerns about corporate earnings sent the markets tumbling to a close with the Dow dropping 88 points to 12,477. Nasdaq plunged 20 points to 2431 while S&P 500 fell 8 points to 1423. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.847%.

Mixed Close For Markets Over Disappointing Earnings

The markets closed mixed over disappointing earnings and forecasts. The Dow slipped 2 points to 12,566 while Nasdaq added 8 points to 2451. S&P 500 rose 4 points to 1430. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.860%.

Markets Mixed Over Earnings

The markets traded mixed during the midday over disappointing earnings. The Dow dropped 11 points to 12,557 while Nasdaq added 3 points to 2446. S&P 500 rose 2 points to 1429. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.866%.

Markets Close Lower Over Rate Concerns

Mild inflation dashed hopes for an interest rate cut sending the markets down to a lower close with the Dow falling 9 points to 12,568. Nasdaq plunged 36 points to 2443 while S&P 500 lost 4 points to 1426. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield slipped to 4.846%.

Markets Close Lower Over PPI

The markets closed lower as producer prices rose a greater-than-expected 0.9%. The Dow lost 5 points to 12,577 while Nasdaq fell 18 points to 2479. S&P 500 slipped a point to 1431. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.881%.

Markets Mixed At Midday

The markets traded mixed during the midday over wholesales prices. The Dow rose 22 points to 12,605 while Nasdaq fell 5 points to 2492. S&P 500 added 3 points to 1434. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.851%.

Markets Close Mixed As Oil Dips

The markets closed mixed with the Dow climbing to set another record as oil prices dipped. The blue chip index rose 27 points to 12,583 while Nasdaq lost 5 points to 2498. S&P 500 added a point to 1432. The 30-year bond rose as the yield eased to 4.844%.

Markets Lower Ahead Of Earnings

The markets slipped during the midday ahead of earnings news. The Dow eased 3 points to 12,553 while Nasdaq lost 4 points to 2499. S&P 500 held steady at 1430. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.852%.

Dow Sets Another Record Close

Upbeat retail sales lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow setting another record. The blue chip index surged 41 points to 12,556. Nasdaq climbed 18 points to 2503 while S&P 500 added 7 points to 1431. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.861%.

Strong Retail Sales Lifts Markets

Strong retail sales boosted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow climbing 39 points to 12,554. Nasdaq gained 14 points to 2499 while S&P 500 rose 7 points to 1431. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched upt to 4.765%.

Markets Close Lower As Oil Prices and Jobless Claims Drop

Falling oil prices and a drop in jobless claims boosted the market to a higher close with the Dow jumping 73 points to 12,515. Nasdaq leaped 26 points to 2485 while S&P 500 climbed 9 points to 1424. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.82%.

Falling Jobless Claims Lifts Markets

A drop in unemployment applications lifted the markets higher during the midday with the Dow surging 67 points to 12,509. Nasdaq climbed 18 points to 2477 while S&P 500 jumped 10 points to 1425. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.83%.

Upbeat Earnings Lifts Markets Higher

Upbeat earnings from Alcoa lifted the markets to a higher close with the Dow climbing 26 points to 12,442. Nasdaq gained 16 points to 2459 while S&P 500 added 3 points to 1415. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.770%.

Concerns Over Oil Profits Send Markets Lower

Rising oil supplies weighed down oil prices sparking concerns about oil company profits. The Dow fell 19 points to 12,397 while Nasdaq eased a point to 2443. S&P 500 slipped 2 points to 1410. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.771%.

Markets Close Higher Ahead Of Earnings

The markets closed higher ahead of earnings reports as oil prices slipped. The Dow climbed 25 points to 12,423 while Nasdaq added 4 points to 2438. S&P 500 gained 3 points to 1413. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.740%.

Markets Lower Even As Oil Slips

The markets recovered early morning losses but continued to trade in negative territory during the midday as oil prices slipped. The Dow lost 20 points to 12,378 while Nasdaq edged down a point to 2433. S&P 500 slipped 2 points to 1408. The 30-year bond eased as the yield inched up to 4.750%.

Markets Close Lower Over Rate Concerns

Dashed hopes for an interest rate cut sent the markets tumbling to a lower close with the Dow plunging 83 points to 12,398. Nasdaq tumbled 19 points to 2434 while S&P 500 fell 9 points to 1410. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.743%.

Markets Extend Losses At Midday

The markets continued to fall during the midday as the prospect of an interest rate cut dissipated. The Dow tumbled 78 points to 12,402 while Nasdaq dropped 23 points to 2431. S&P 500 fell 9 points to 1409. The 30-year bond eased as the yield rose to 4.761%.

Markets Close Higher As Oil Tumbles

The markets closed higher as crude oil prices tumbled to settle at $55.59 a barrel, an eighteen month low. The Dow added 6 points to 12,481 while Nasdaq gained 30 points to 2453. S&P 500 rose 2 points to 1418. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.724%.

Markets Mixed Over Disappointing Sales

The markets traded mixed during the midday over disappointing December retail sales. The Dow dropped 44 points to 12,431 while Nasdaq added 11 points to 2434. S&P 500 slipped 2 points to 1414. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.719%.

Manufacturing Activity Lifts Markets Higher

The markets continued to advance during the midday as manufacturing activity unexpectedly expanded in December. The Dow jumped 91 points to 12,555 while Nasdaq soared 31 points to 2447. S&P 500 climbed 9 points to 1427. The 30-year bond inched up as the yield eased to 4.790%