Australian (ASX) Stock Market Forum

NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by +120.80 points +0.86% on Tuesday October 9:

Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 14,164.53 +120.80 +0.86%

-- Day's Range: 14034.39 - 14166.97
-- 52wk Range: 11,759.40 - 14,169.50
Nasdaq 2,803.91 +16.54 +0.59%
-- Day's Range: 2784.52 - 2806.41
-- 52wk Range: 2,292.29 - 2,787.37
S&P 500 1,565.15 +12.57 +0.81%
-- Day's Range: 1551.81 - 1565.27
-- 52wk Range: 1,343.57 - 1,561.91
30-yr Bond 4.8640% +0.0030
-- Day's Range: 4.8400 - 4.8860
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408
NYSE Volume 2,932,088,250
Nasdaq Volume 1,928,553,750

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.56. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.14 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.08 percent, and France's CAC-40 advanced 0.56 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,615.40 +74.50 +1.14%
DAX....... 7,980.44 +6.07 +0.08%
CAC 40... 5,861.93 +32.53 +0.56%

Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Hang Seng... 28,228.04 +457.75 +1.65%


Dow, S&P 500 Hit New Records-
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071009/wall_street.html
Stocks Bound Higher on Rate Cut Hope
Tuesday October 9, 5:40 pm ET
By Joe Bel Bruno, AP Business Writer
Stocks Advance After Fed Minutes Give Rate Cut Hope; Dow Sets New Records

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street advanced sharply Tuesday as investors interpreted minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting as indicating the central bank is ready to keep cutting interest rates to boost the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index reached new record highs.

The minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee's Sept. 18 meeting, when Fed governors voted unanimously for a half-point cut, also showed that officials were concerned that the weakness in the dollar could lead to higher inflation. But the Fed -- signaling it is more willing to intervene -- also said the economic outlook was uncertain because of the summer's credit crisis, and that there were still risks to growth that justified lower rates.

The major indexes were little changed just before the minutes came out, then rose sharply. Investors were hoping that the Fed would lean toward future rate cuts; central bankers will meet again Oct. 30-31.


"This adds fuel to the fire that the Fed is going to try and reinvigorate the economy with further cuts, and that's what they are committed to," said Richard E. Cripps, chief market strategist for Stifel Nicolaus. "The likelihood of having a second cut either this month or at the December meeting seems greater than before the minutes."

Further, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President William Poole said during a speech Tuesday he believes the financial markets are "still fragile" from weakening credit conditions, but that it appears to be stabilizing. San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Janet Yellen said in a speech the central bank must focus on "how financial market developments are likely to affect employment, output and inflation."

The Dow rose 120.80, or 0.86 percent, to 14,164.53, eclipsing the previous record close of 14,087.55 reached Oct. 1. The Dow had a new trading high as well, rising to 14,166.97.

The S&P 500 rose 12.57, or 0.81 percent, to a record close of 1,565.15. It surpassed the previous record close of 1,557.59, reached last Friday, and also hit a new trading high of 1,565.26.


The Nasdaq composite index rose 16.54, or 0.59 percent, to 2,803.91. This is the first time the technology-heavy index closed above 2,800 since January 2001. It is lagging the other big indexes because it was severely over-inflated by the dot-com boom, and it isn't expected to reach its record high close of 5,048.62 anytime soon.

Bonds slipped after the Fed minutes were released, with the 10-year Treasury note yield -- which moves inversely to its price -- rising to 4.65 percent from 4.62 percent before the minutes' release. The Treasury market was closed Monday for Columbus Day, and its yield was 4.64 percent on Friday.

While Wall Street was focused on a possible rate cut, bond investors believed the Fed's economic outlook is uncertain.

The dollar was generally lower against other major currencies, while gold prices rose. Light, sweet crude rose $1.24 to $80.26 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Investors have been waiting for any clue about the Fed's plans for the rest of the year, with most economists expecting a rate cut before the year is out. However, those hopes were somewhat dashed on Friday after the government reported better-than-expect employment numbers that eased fears the economy would slide into a recession.

Policymakers during the Sept. 18 meeting believed that "some further slowing of employment growth was likely." They also felt -- before seeing the jobs report -- that a further slowing in employment was likely this year.

"The Fed is in a pretty good situation right now," said Ed Peters, chief investment officer at PanAgora Asset Management. "They want a clear direction, they don't like when things are too much in the middle, and they are getting some pretty clear signs."

He said most analysts are now focused on the pace of third-quarter earnings, which unofficially started after the closing bell on Tuesday when Alcoa Inc. reported results. The aluminum producer said profit rose 3 percent, though sales fell from the year-ago period.

The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. Alcoa, which rose $1.42, or 3.7 percent, to $39.72 during the regular session, gave up 71 cents in after-hours trading.

Meanwhile, Yum Brands Inc. rose $1.82, or 5 percent, to $38.11 after the company on Monday reported stronger-than-epxected third-quarter profits. While revenue in the U.S. declined, strong international sales boosted results.

Molson Coors Co. shares rose $5.32, or 10.4 percent, to $56.15 after the brewer said it plans to combine its U.S. brewing operations with SABMiller PLC in an effort to compete better against industry leader Anheuser-Busch. The joint venture will be known as MillerCoors and will have responsibility for selling brands including Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Coors, Coors Light and Molson Canadian in the U.S.

SABMiller shares, which trade on the London Stock Exchange, rose 1.4 percent, to 1,487 pence.

NBC Universal said Tuesday it is buying cable television network Oxygen Media for approximately $925 million. General Electric Co., the parent of NBC, rose 49 cents to $42.02.

Google Inc. rose again Tuesday after closing above $600 for the first time Monday. The stock rose $5.57 to $615.18.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 2 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 2.80 billion shares, up from 2 billion shares on Monday.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 5.58, or 0.66 percent, to 845.72.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.56. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.14 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.08 percent, and France's CAC-40 advanced 0.56 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER by -85.84 points -0.61% on Wednes October 10:

Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 14,078.69 -85.84 -0.61%

-- Day's Range: 14009.51 - 14165.02
-- 52wk Range: 11,762.70 - 14,198.80
Nasdaq 2,811.61 +7.70 +0.27%
-- Day's Range: 2795.98 - 2813.67
-- 52wk Range: 2,292.29 - 2,806.41
S&P 500 1,562.47 -2.68 -0.17%
-- Day's Range: 1555.46 - 1565.36
-- 52wk Range: 1,343.57 - 1,565.26
30-yr Bond 4.8630% -0.0010
-- Day's Range: 4.8350 - 4.8870
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408
NYSE Volume 3,049,359,500
Nasdaq Volume 1,980,291,250

Overseas,
Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.10 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 closed up 0.27 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.08 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.40 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,633.00 +17.60 +0.27%
DAX 7,986.57 +6.13 +0.08%

CAC 40 5,838.49 -23.44 -0.40%

Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 17,177.89 +17.99 +0.10%
Hang Seng 28,569.33 +341.29 +1.21%

Straits Times 3,814.45 -51.30 -1.33%

Dow Closes Lower, Nasdaq Ends Higher
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071010/wall_street.html?.v=46
Wednesday October 10, 6:34 pm ET
By Tim Paradis, AP Business Writer
Stocks Finish Mixed As Profit Warnings and News From Alcoa, Boeing Drag Down Dow Index

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street stumbled through a lopsided session Wednesday, closing mixed as profit warnings and news from blue chip names Alcoa Inc. and Boeing Co. dragged down the Dow Jones industrial average but largely spared technology stocks.

A pullback was to be expected after the Dow and the Standard & Poor's 500 index finished at new highs Tuesday amid enthusiasm over comments from Federal Reserve policymakers about interest rates, but corporate news appeared to hasten Wednesday's slide.

Declines by Dow components Boeing and Alcoa, among others, hurt the 30-stock index. Meanwhile, International Paper Co. and Chevron Corp. moved lower on profit news.


With investors thumbing through fresh quarterly results and corporate announcements, the latest economic readings did little to dislodge the dichotomy between blue chips and tech stocks. A report showed inventories among U.S. wholesalers ticked up in August, while a trade group for real estate agents warned the drop in sales of existing homes this year will be steeper than had been expected.

The stock market's uneven but still relatively calm trading Wednesday followed a surge the day before that was sparked by release of the minutes from the Fed's last meeting. Wall Street initially was ebullient that the Fed didn't appear to rule out further rate cuts but, on reflection, some investors seemed to be questioning whether that response was a little too optimistic.

"People are looking backward at what the Fed was discussing to try and discern whether or not we're in a recession," said Kim Caughey, equity research analyst at Fort Pitt Capital Group. "Looking in the rearview mirror isn't going to give us that clarity because its history, so instead I'm really looking forward to what corporate earnings will show."

The Dow fell 85.84, or 0.61 percent, to 14,078.69 after rising 120 points on Tuesday.

Broader stock indicators were mixed. The S&P 500 fell 2.68, or 0.17 percent, to 1,562.47, and the technology-laden Nasdaq composite index rose 7.70, or 0.27 percent, to 2,811.61.

Bond prices had a late-session uptick but finished little changed. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was unchanged at 4.65 percent, compared with late Tuesday. The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices rose.

Light, sweet crude rose $1.04 to settle at $81.30 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange following word that workers at Chevron facilities in Nigeria had staged a surprise strike and by a report that demand for gasoline is up.

Wednesday's session came as investors tried to determine whether the Fed will make a move when it meets Oct. 30-31. Last month's surprise half-point rate cut helped stoke a recovery in stocks that were pummeled this summer amid concerns about tight access to credit and an economic slowdown.

But corporate, not broad economic concerns, appeared to attract Wall Street's attention Wednesday. Boeing fell $2.77, or 2.7 percent, to $98.68 after announcing it was delaying initial deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner commercial aircraft by six months. The company cited challenges in finishing assembly of the first airplanes.

"I think you're starting to see people looking at individual stocks," said Bill Schultz, chief investment officer at McQueen, Ball & Associates in Pittsburgh. "Clearly, the large caps have been the place to be here as this rally has taken place. And, one of the areas over time that has been left behind is growth stocks."

Alcoa disappointed investors after it reported a smaller-than-expected 3 percent profit, while revenue fell. But excluding a boost to its bottom line from the sale of a stake in a Chinese aluminum company, Alcoa's results fell short of Wall Street's expectations. Alcoa fell 99 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $38.73.

International Paper lowered its projection for how much it expects to take in from sales of land in the third quarter, which sent shares falling 88 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $36.18.

Chevron fell 72 cents to $92.08 after the company warned third-quarter profit will come in well below the $5.4 billion it earned in the second quarter.

However, Wall Street also received some upbeat news when Costco Wholesale Corp. reported better-than-expected results. Shares of the warehouse retailer gave a boost to the Nasdaq, rising $5.82, or 9.2 percent, to $69.13.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by about 6 to 5 on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 2.96 billion shares, up from 2.08 billion Tuesday.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 0.53, or 0.06 percent, to 845.19.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.10 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 closed up 0.27 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.08 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.40 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER by -63.57 points -0.45% on Wednes October 10:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 14,015.12 -63.57 -0.45%

-- Day's Range: 13951.07 - 14198.10
-- 52wk Range: 11,762.70 - 14,225.70
Nasdaq 2,772.20 -39.41 -1.40%
-- Day's Range: 2757.76 - 2834.00
-- 52wk Range: 2,292.29 - 2,813.67
S&P 500 1,554.41 -8.06 -0.52%
-- Day's Range: 1546.72 - 1576.09
-- 52wk Range: 1,343.57 - 1,565.42
30-yr Bond 4.8830% +0.0200
-- Day's Range: 4.8780 - 4.9250
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408
NYSE Volume 3,164,326,000
Nasdaq Volume 2,508,693,750

Overseas,
Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 1.64 percent after a rating agency upgraded the country's debt.
Europe also rose.
Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.38 percent, Germany's DAX index advanced 0.59 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.42 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,724.50 +91.50 +1.38%
DAX 8,033.69 +47.12 +0.59%
CAC 40 5,862.83 +24.34 +0.42%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 17,458.98 +281.09 +1.64%
Hang Seng 29,133.02 +563.69 +1.97%
Straits Times 3,875.77 +61.32 +1.61%


Wall Street Falls As Tech Takes a Hit
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071011/wall_street.html?.v=35
Thursday October 11, 5:07 pm ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Stocks Fall As Worries About Inflation, Tech Sector Prompt Traders to Book Profits

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks retreated from lofty heights Thursday after a European Central Bank official pointed to rising price risks and a major Wall Street bank lowered its sales expectations for Chinese Internet company Baidu.com.

The news caused traders to take profits, particularly in the technology sector, from big gains made earlier in the session. The Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor's 500 index fell from record levels that had been reached after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. lifted its profit forecast.

The market turned in the afternoon after ECB governing council member Axel Weber said rising inflation in the euro zone may require additional policy action, according to Dow Jones Newswires. The comments appeared to raise concerns on Wall Street that European growth could slow and that in the United States, inflation could prevent the Federal Reserve from making another rate cut.


Many investors have been betting on another rate reduction from U.S. policy makers, who lowered the target federal funds rate by half a percentage point on Sept. 18 in response to a tightening in the credit markets.

Wall Street's mood was also dampened when JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered its revenue expectations for Baidu.com Inc., said Kelmoore Strategy Funds portfolio manager Matt Kelmon. That hurt technology companies, which had been rising strongly in recent days.

"Stocks have come a long way really quickly," Kelmon said. "The stocks that have done the best are getting hammered right now."

The Dow sank 63.57, or 0.45 percent, to 14,015.12. Earlier in session, the blue-chip index had soared to a new trading high of 14,198.10.

Broader stock indicators also turned lower after giving back robust gains. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 8.06, or 0.52 percent, to 1,554.41. It had reached a new trading high of 1,576.09.

The Nasdaq composite index, which has touched nearly seven-year highs in recent sessions, fell 39.41, or 1.40 percent, to 2,772.20.

The technology-dominated Nasdaq was hurt by Baidu.com, which tumbled $34.39, or 10 percent, to $308.78. Apple Inc., Oracle Corp., Amazon.com, Yahoo Inc. and Intel Corp. also fell.

Bonds pared back their steep losses after stocks fell. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, rose to 4.66 percent from 4.65 percent late Wednesday.

Spiking gold and oil prices heightened some investors' worries about inflation. Light, sweet crude rose $1.78 to $83.08 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after the government reported an unexpected drop in crude oil inventories and a surprise increase in refinery activity.

At this point, the market is split on whether the Fed will lower rates.

"You kind of have to wait and see," said Stephen Carl, principal and head of equity trading at The Williams Capital Group. He noted that some data -- particularly weak retail sales reports that came out Thursday morning -- show that the economy could be in need of further easing. "The potential is definitely there."

Other reports have shown economic strength, however.

The U.S. trade deficit fell to its lowest level in seven months -- a much better reading than Wall Street expected -- amid record sales of American products. The Commerce Department said the deficit declined to $57.6 billion in August, down 2.4 percent from the July imbalance. Exports rose 0.4 percent to a record $138.3 billion, while imports dropped 0.4 percent to $195.9 billion.

A weakening dollar makes U.S. exports more competitive abroad. On Thursday, the dollar fell versus the euro but rose against the pound and the yen.

Though the stock market's pullback looked dramatic, market watchers said it was to be expected give how far stocks have risen. Less than two months ago, the Dow was below 13,000. Whether the blue-chip index treads further above 14,000 will depend on upcoming third-quarter profit results, and if they indicate U.S. corporate health going forward.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, raised its third-quarter profit forecast even after reporting its same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose a weaker-than-expected 1.4 percent in September.

Wal-Mart, one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow industrials, jumped $1.31, or 2.9 percent, to $46.90.

The biggest gainer in the Dow was General Motors Corp., which rose $1.86, or 4.9 percent, to $39.99 after union members ratified a new contract with the automaker.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by about 5 to 3 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.52 billion shares.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 10.21, or 1.21 percent, to 834.98.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 1.64 percent after a rating agency upgraded the country's debt. Stocks in Europe also rose. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.38 percent, Germany's DAX index advanced 0.59 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.42 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by +77.96 points +0.56% on Friday October 12:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 14,093.08 +77.96 +0.56%

-- Day's Range: 14013.74 - 14101.77
-- 52wk Range: 11,849.20 - 14,280.00
Nasdaq 2,805.68 +33.48 +1.21%
-- Day's Range: 2778.29 - 2806.18
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00
S&P 500 1,561.80 +7.39 +0.48%
-- Day's Range: 1554.09 - 1563.03
-- 52wk Range: 1,349.94 - 1,576.09
30-yr Bond 4.9050% +0.0220
-- Day's Range: 4.8580 - 4.9220
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408
NYSE Volume 2,625,664,500
Nasdaq Volume 1,931,167,880

Overseas,
Japan's Nikkei stock average closed down 0.73 percent.
Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.09 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.09 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.32 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,730.70 +6.20 +0.09%
DAX 8,041.26 +7.57 +0.09%

CAC 40 5,843.95 -18.88 -0.32%

Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 17,331.17 -127.81 -0.73%
Hang Seng 28,838.37 -294.65 -1.01%
Straits Times 3,857.25 -18.52 -0.48%


Stocks Close Slightly Higher, Tech Jumps
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071012/wall_street.html?.v=35
Friday October 12, 4:58 pm ET
By Tim Paradis, AP Business Writer
Stocks Close Moderately Up After Economic Readings; GM, McDonald's Rise; Tech Climbs

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street closed out a bumpy week with a moderate advance Friday as tech stocks charged higher on takeover news and other sectors gained on data that indicated the economy is expanding at a healthy pace. The major indexes managed to post gains for the week.

Oracle Corp.'s bid for BEA Systems Inc. helped prop up technology stocks, and gave investors renewed hope that acquisition activity is picking up again after the uncertainty of the summer's credit crisis. Corporate news also boosted some blue chip names: McDonald's Corp. posted higher-than-expected sales and General Motors Corp. said sales in its Latin America, Africa and Middle East region jumped in the third quarter.

Amid the economic data Wall Street mined Friday for signals about the health of the economy, the government reported that retail sales showed a stronger-than-expected gain last month and that wholesale prices jumped in September amid an increase in food and energy costs. Business inventories increased, while consumer sentiment slipped.


"The data seemed to reinforce that the economy is slowing, but perhaps not as precipitously as feared. And that may put the Fed on hold in October," said Derrick Wulf, portfolio manager at Dwight Asset Management Company. He was referring to the next interest-rate decision by Federal Reserve policymakers, who are scheduled to meet Oct. 30-31.

According to preliminary calculations, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 77.96, or 0.56 percent, to 14,093.08.

Broader stock indicators also advanced. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 7.39, or 0.48 percent, to 1,561.80. The tech-dominated Nasdaq composite index rose 33.48, or 1.21 percent, to 2,805.68.

The move higher comes a day after a rally fizzled on Wall Street on concerns about price risks and lowered expectations for the Chinese Internet company Baidu.com. Wall Street's advance on Friday helped lift the major indexes to finish the week in positive territory -- the Dow was up 0.19 percent; the S&P 500 rose 0.27 percent and the Nasdaq gained 0.91 percent.

Bonds were slightly lower as fixed-income investors held their positions ahead of the weekend. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, was up at 4.68 percent from 4.66 percent late Thursday.

The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices fell.

Light, sweet crude rose 61 cents to $83.69 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil futures moved above $84 per barrel to a fresh trading and settled at a record as well amid concerns that supplies won't meet demand in the fourth quarter.

Economic readings appeared to give a boost to stocks. The Commerce Department report that retail sales rose 0.6 percent in September from August was double the growth economists had been expecting. The report came a day after many national retailers reported seeing sluggish demand in September.

The Labor Department said wholesale prices rose 1.1 percent in September. Excluding often volatile categories of food and energy, wholesale prices edged up by a moderate 0.1 percent.

Inventories held by businesses on shelves and backlots rose 0.1 percent in August, less than the 0.3 percent gain analysts had been expecting.

Consumer sentiment fell in October, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading for mid-October.

Robert Streed, portfolio manager of Northern Trust Select Equity Fund in Chicago, said another reason behind Tuesday's drive higher is renewed optimism about corporate acquisitions. An increase in deals would "inject cash into the system" and push equities higher, he said.

"This is psychologically important because it shows insiders see value in acquiring companies," Streed said. "It also injects cash into the system."

Oracle, the business software maker, confirmed it offered to buy BEA Systems for more than $6.66 billion. Oracle said it sent a letter to the software maker's board offering $17 per share, a 25 percent premium over Thursday's closing price of $13.62. BEA surged $5.20, or 38 percent, to $18.82, while Oracle fell 2 cents to $22.44.

In other corporate news, McDonald's said its global same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose a stronger-than-expected 5.9 percent in September. The nation's No. 1 hamburger chain also forecast earnings for the quarter well ahead of Wall Street expectations. McDonald's rose 77 cents to $57.02.

GM rose $2.65, or 6.6 percent, to $42.64 after posting a 22 percent increase in sales in regions such as Latin America. The move comes after GM shares jumped Thursday following a decision by union members to ratify a new contract with the automaker.

GE's third-quarter earnings rose 14 percent as its energy and transportation businesses did well. Many investors regard GE as a bellwether for the U.S. economy because of the conglomerate's array of businesses -- from finance to engines to NBC Universal. GE fell 57 cents to $41.03.

Citigroup Inc., which like McDonald's and GE is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow industrials, fell 45 cents to $47.87 after announcing it would combine its investment banking and alternative investments divisions into a single business run by a former Morgan Stanley executive. Vikram Pandit, who has been in charge of Citi's alternative investments unit since joining the company earlier this year, will lead the new Institutional Clients Group.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 2 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.06 billion shares, compared to 1.52 billion on Thursday.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 6.19, or 0.74 percent, to 841.17.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed down 0.73 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.09 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.09 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.32 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
G'day Bigdog

Great thread.

Appreciate the effort in compiling the info.

The Dow Jones usually indicates which way the ASX will jump each day.

Cheers

Dutchie
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER by -108.28 points -0.77% on Monday October 15:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,984.80 -108.28 -0.77%

-- Day's Range: 13904.32 - 14118.52
-- 52wk Range: 11,849.20 - 14,280.00
Nasdaq 2,780.05 -25.63 -0.91%
-- Day's Range: 2764.68 - 2811.66
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00
S&P 500 1,548.71 -13.09 -0.84%
-- Day's Range: 1540.81 - 1564.74
-- 52wk Range: 1,356.87 - 1,576.09
30-yr Bond 4.9070% +0.0020
-- Day's Range: 4.8980 - 4.9280
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408
NYSE Volume 3,139,287,000
Chart for NYSE Volume
Nasdaq Volume 2,045,180,250
Chart for Nasdaq Volume

Overseas,
Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 0.16 percent.
Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.28 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.89 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.62 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,644.50 -86.20 -1.28%
DAX 7,969.47 -71.79 -0.89%
CAC 40 5,807.44 -36.51 -0.62%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 17,358.15 +26.98 +0.16%
Hang Seng 29,540.78 +702.41 +2.44%
Straits Times 3,862.02 +4.77 +0.12%


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071015/wall_street.html?.v=38
Stocks Fall Amid Unease Over Bad Debt
Monday October 15, 6:35 pm ET
By Tim Paradis, AP Business Writer
Wall Street Falls Amid Unease Over Bad Debt; Oil Settles Above $86

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks pulled back sharply Monday as news that major U.S. banks will set up a fund to help bail out the credit markets stirred concerns about bad debt and as oil prices surged to $86 per barrel for the first time. The Dow Jones industrial average lost more than 100 points.

The stock market's pullback comes not only amid concerns about debt and rising energy costs but as investors await third-quarter reports due this week from more than 80 components of the Standard & Poor's 500 index.

The concerns about banking came after Citigroup Inc., the biggest U.S. bank, reported that third-quarter results fell 57 percent. The company said it lost more than $3 billion in mortgage-backed security losses, leveraged debt write-downs and fixed-income trading losses.

The bank -- along with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp. -- announced the creation of a fund used to help revive the asset-backed commercial paper market. The fund will buy assets from structured investment vehicles, also known as SIVs, which buy corporate bonds and subprime mortgage debt. The bailout was orchestrated by the Treasury Department to avoid a fire sale in the market.

"It's a reminder that this problem never was entirely put to bed. There may be financial institutions out there that are in more trouble than we thought they were," said Aaron Gurwitz, co-head of portfolio strategy at Lehman Brothers Investment Management, referring to concerns about bad debt. He also noted that Monday's pullback wasn't unusual given the back-and-forth moves in the major indexes in recent sessions.

The Dow fell 108.28, or 0.77 percent, to 13,984.80.

Broader stock indicators also declined. The S&P 500 index fell 13.09, or 0.84 percent, to 1,548.71, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 25.63, or 0.91 percent, to 2,780.05.

Bonds fell following a better-than-expected regional economic reading in New York. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 4.68 percent from 4.65 percent late Friday. The dollar was mixed against most other major currencies, while gold prices rose.

Light, sweet crude rose to record levels, crossing $86 per barrel for the first time and rising as high as $86.22 in trading. Oil settled up $2.44 at $86.13 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as after the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said crude production by countries that aren't OPEC members is probably falling despite rising demand.

The week's economic calendar is light. On Monday, the New York Empire State Index -- a regional economic indicator published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York -- came in better than expected for October. The index rose to 28.75 from September's 14.70.

Investors are keeping tabs on corporate and economic data as they try to determine how well profits will fare.

"All those guys are tempering their expectations because the economy is slowing," said Thomas Nyheim, vice president and portfolio manager at Christiana Bank & Trust Co., referring to Wall Street's estimation for moderate growth in third-quarter profits.

The concerns over soured loans drew comments from Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who said in a speech Monday that the troubles with SIVs might require regulators to step in to stave off future problems, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Wall Street's unease Monday follows a period of calm after worries about credit roiled markets around the world over the summer. During August and into September, investors were concerned that mortgages made to borrowers with poor credit that had been bundled together and sold off as investments would resurface and cause widespread losses. Indeed, some hedge funds and other investment vehicles worldwide that held subprime debt succumbed to the soured loans. It wasn't until the Fed stepped in with reductions in short-term interest rates and the rates it charges to loan to banks that the credit markets began to show signs of recovery.

Citigroup fell $1.63, or 3.4 percent, to $46.24 after the bank raised its loan-loss provisions by $2.24 billion -- a higher amount than it estimated a week ago -- amid expectations of further deterioration in consumer credit. The bank also said it would delay repurchases of its shares.

Medtronic Inc. fell $6.33, or 11 percent, to $50 after the company said it is halting distribution of wires that connect some of its defibrillators to patients' hearts after learning they may have contributed to five deaths.

Biogen Idec Inc. jumped $13.08, or 19 percent, to $82.51 after the company said it may sell itself and that it has drawn interest from potential buyers.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by about 8-to-3 on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 3.03 billion shares compared with 2.71 billion shares traded Friday.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 11.81, or 1.40 percent, to 829.36.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 0.16 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.28 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.89 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.62 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER by -71.86 points -0.51% on Tuesday October 16:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,912.94 -71.86 -0.51%

-- Day's Range: 13877.90 - 13992.03
-- 52wk Range: 11,849.20 - 14,280.00
Nasdaq 2,763.91 -16.14 -0.58%
-- Day's Range: 2759.43 - 2781.80
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00
S&P 500 1,538.53 -10.18 -0.66%
-- Day's Range: 1536.29 - 1547.81
-- 52wk Range: 1,356.87 - 1,576.09
30-yr Bond 4.9120% +0.0050
-- Day's Range: 4.8810 - 4.9220
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408
NYSE Volume 3,182,911,250
Nasdaq Volume 2,137,350,000

Overseas
Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 1.27 percent; Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 1.98 percent; Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.45 percent; Germany's DAX index fell 0.09 percent; and France's CAC-40 fell 0.57 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,614.30 -30.20 -0.45%
DAX 7,962.64 -6.83 -0.09%
CAC 40 5,774.36 -33.08 -0.57


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 17,137.92 -220.23 -1.27%
Hang Seng 28,954.55 -586.23 -1.98%
Straits Times 3,810.72 -51.30 -1.33%

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071016/wall_street.html?.v=30
Stocks Retreat on Bernanke Comments
Tuesday October 16, 5:31 pm ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Wall Street Falls After Bernanke Comments Add to Housing, Credit Worries, and Oil Prices Jump

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street sank for a second straight session Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the slumping housing market remains a "significant drag" on the economy.

Bernanke's speech Monday night in New York elevated concerns that the summer's credit tightness might persist into the winter -- a sobering thought for investors, who are sifting through mixed third-quarter earnings and watching energy costs rise.

"First of all, the worry is we're getting more bad news on housing. No. 2 is higher oil prices. That's a pretty bad combination," said Hugh Johnson, chief investment officer of Johnson Illington Advisors.

Crude oil prices spiked to another record above $88, and a National Association of Home Builders' index that tracks developers' expectations of future home sales fell for the eighth consecutive month to the lowest point since January 1985. Also Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson echoed Bernanke's concerns, saying housing is a significant risk to the economy.

The uncertainty on Wall Street about the economic outlook "comes at a time when earnings results are not particularly exciting -- in fact, are dismal," Johnson said.

A day after Citigroup Inc. reported a steep third-quarter profit decline and announced plans with other banks to set up a fund to bail out the credit markets, some more banks released disappointing results.

Wells Fargo & Co. shares fell nearly 4 percent after the bank said third-quarter earnings increased by less than analysts anticipated and that it boosted loan-loss reserves in preparation for more problems in consumer credit. KeyCorp shares declined nearly 6 percent after the Midwest regional bank posted a 33 percent drop in third-quarter profit. U.S. Bancorp also reported a dip in third-quarter earnings.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 71.86, or 0.51 percent, to 13,912.94, after falling more than 100 points earlier in the session.

Broader indicators also declined. The Standard & Poor's 500 index slid 10.18, or 0.66 percent, to 1,538.53, and the Nasdaq composite index dipped 16.14, or 0.58 percent, to 2,763.91.

The technology-dominated Nasdaq could get a boost, though, on Wednesday: Intel Corp. and Yahoo Inc. posted better-than-expected third-quarter results after the bell Tuesday, and their stocks gained sharply in after-market trading.

Bond prices rose as investors pulled money out of stocks. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, fell to 4.66 percent from 4.68 percent at Monday's close.

The dollar rose against most currencies. Gold also rose.

On Monday, the Dow and the S&P posted their biggest point drops in five weeks; just last week, the two indexes touched record highs.

"The relief rally that we've enjoyed since Aug. 16, the day before the Fed cut the discount rate, has been an impressive one. And it will probably still push stock prices higher the rest of the year," said Edward Yardeni, an economist who runs Yardeni Research in Great Neck, N.Y.

But, he added, "the first batch of earnings news for the third quarter gives some reason for concern, particularly for the banks, who are probably going to continue to have problems with their own portfolios."

Bernanke said Monday night the deepening housing slump will probably keep dragging on economic growth, but he again pledged to "act as needed" to help the financial markets recover from their freeze. He also said inflation remains in check -- which could persuade policymakers to lower rates for the second month in a row at their Oct. 30-31 meeting.

But while core inflation -- which excludes volatile food and energy prices -- is mild, oil prices are pushing further into uncharted territory on speculation about supply disruptions.

Crude futures rose $1.48 to a record close of $87.61 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after briefly surpassing $88.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by about 8 to 3 on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume came to 1.29 billion shares, the same as Monday.

Yahoo reported earnings of 11 cents a share, well ahead of analysts' forecasts for 8 cents. After falling $1.17 to $26.69 during the regular session, the company's stock was up 8 percent at $29.01 in after-hours trading.

Intel, meanwhile, had earnings of 31 cents per share, a penny ahead of expectations. After falling 27 cents to $25.48 in regular trading, Intel's stock was quoted at $26.80, up 5 percent in after-hours trading.

Most financial and housing-related stocks fell, as did retailers.

A couple bright spots in the financial sector were State Street Corp., a trust bank that posted a profit rise of 29 percent on strong revenue from servicing fees and trading services, and Bear Stearns Cos. The investment arm of China's cabinet is planning a bid for a stake in the brokerage.

State Street rose $5.75, or 8.3 percent, to $74.68.

Bear Stearns rose $2.36, or 2 percent, to $123.05.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 1.27 percent; Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 1.98 percent; Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.45 percent; Germany's DAX index fell 0.09 percent; and France's CAC-40 fell 0.57 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER by -20.40 points -0.15% on Wednesday October 17:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,892.54 -20.40 -0.15%

-- Day's Range: 13774.67 - 14012.84
-- 52wk Range: 11,849.20 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,792.67 +28.76 +1.04%
-- Day's Range: 2755.26 - 2803.96
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,541.24 +2.71 +0.18%
-- Day's Range: 1526.01 - 1550.66
-- 52wk Range: 1,356.87 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.8090% -0.1030
-- Day's Range: 4.8000 - 4.9140
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 3,578,473,750
Nasdaq Volume 2,432,270,250

Overseas
Japan's Nikkei stock average closed down 1.07 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.96 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.29 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.77 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
TSE 100 6,677.70 +63.40 +0.96%
DAX 7,985.41 +22.77 +0.29%
CAC 40 5,818.80 +44.44 +0.77%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,955.31 -158.89 -1.07%
Hang Seng 29,298.71 +344.16 +1.19%
Straits Times 3,839.73 +29.01 +0.76%


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071017/wall_street.html?.v=35
Stocks Close Mixed on Earnings Worries
Wednesday October 17, 5:22 pm ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Stocks Mixed Amid Concerns About Corporate Profits, Housing and Credit Market Problems

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street ended a volatile session mixed Wednesday as investors' concerns about sluggish housing and tight credit intensified their uneasiness over a motley batch of corporate profits. Rising oil prices only added to the market's malaise.

Earnings reports from Yahoo Inc. and Intel Corp. were upbeat and incited some buying in the technology sector, which drove the Nasdaq composite index sharply higher.

But the Dow Jones industrial average dipped, with investors uncertain about how well corporate America overall will fare going forward -- particularly after International Business Machines Corp. reported modest software sales and United Technologies Group Inc. said 2008 will be challenging.


Peter Dunay, an investment strategist with New York-based Leeb Capital Management said third-quarter earnings are expected to be weak, and lackluster forecasts for future quarters are unnerving investors.

"We're not getting very strong guidance numbers, and at the same time last week we were at new highs," Dunay said.

The Dow and the Standard & Poor's 500 index both hit records last week, but Wall Street has pulled back cautiously since then, exhibiting nervousness about the slowing economy. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve said in its Beige Book that growth cooled in the third quarter. Investors are also jittery about accelerating inflation -- which could prevent the Fed from lowering rates again -- after oil prices momentarily touched a fresh high of $89 per barrel.

And the lending landscape continues to deteriorate. Standard & Poor's cut the ratings on 1,713 classes of securities backed by mortgages issued in the first six months of this year. They were valued at $23.35 billion.

The Dow fell 20.40, or 0.15 percent, to 13,892.54, paring the session's worst losses. The Dow fell more than 130 points in earlier trading.

Broader indexes rose. The S&P 500 index climbed 2.71, or 0.18 percent, to 1,541.24, while the Nasdaq gained 28.76, or 1.04 percent, to 2,792.67.

Wall Street's mixed movements come after two days of broad declines.

In another sign that the economy could weaken further, the Commerce Department said new home construction slowed to the weakest pace in 14 years during September. Bond prices rose sharply on the news. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, fell to 4.55 percent from 4.66 percent late Tuesday.

Investor expectations for the third quarter had been low, given the turmoil in the financial and credit markets during the summer. Some early profit reports -- particularly in the financial sector -- proved disappointing. Strong results from component companies of the Dow -- including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Intel Corp. -- didn't offset investor unease over results from two other components, IBM and United Technologies.

United Technologies fell $2.85, or 3.6 percent, to $76.80, despite a 20 percent rise in profit. The company said it sees international growth moderating and more slowdown in the U.S. economy.

IBM lost $3.82, or 3.2 percent, to $115.78. The computer maker posted a 6 percent profit rise, but investors focused on the modest 3 percent rise in software revenue.

JPMorgan rose $1.26, or 2.8 percent, to $46.37 on the bank's 2 percent rise in profit despite big writedowns related to soured mortgages and leveraged corporate debt.

Yahoo said late Tuesday that third-quarter profits fell less than analysts had expected, raising hopes of a turnaround. The Internet search company gained $2.13, or 8 percent, to $28.82.

Chipmaker Intel posted a 43 percent increase in third-quarter earnings. The company's shares jumped $1.24, or 5 percent, to $26.72.

Beyond earnings, investors absorbed two economic reports that appeared to give the Fed more wiggle room in cutting rates. Central bankers will next meet Oct. 30-31.

U.S. consumer prices rose modestly last month, suggesting there are still inflation risks, but they likely wouldn't get in the way of an interest rate cut. The consumer price index rose 0.3 percent in September, reversing August's 0.1 percent decline. The core CPI, which excludes often volatile food and energy prices -- and which the Fed monitors -- advanced 0.2 percent for a fourth-straight month.

Although core inflation remains tame, surging food and energy costs could trickle down, heating up overall inflation and attracting the Fed's attention.

"You have to wonder about whether the Fed is still going to be accommodative," said Jack Caffrey, equities strategist at J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 1.54, or 0.19 percent, to 824.89.

Oil gave up the gains of an earlier rally. A barrel of light, sweet crude lost 22 cents to $87.29 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Gold prices rose, and the dollar was mixed against other major currencies.

Advancing issues narrowly outnumbered decliners on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.42 billion shares, up from 1.29 billion Tuesday.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed down 1.07 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.96 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.29 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.77 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER by -3.58 points -0.03% on Thursday October 18:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,888.96 -3.58 -0.03%

-- Day's Range: 13820.35 - 13913.75
-- 52wk Range: 11,881.30 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,799.31 +6.64 +0.24%
-- Day's Range: 2770.11 - 2803.26
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,540.08 -1.16 -0.08%
-- Day's Range: 1531.76 - 1542.79
52wk Range: 1,360.95 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.7790% -0.0300
-- Day's Range: 4.7730 - 4.7990
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 3,234,455,500
Nasdaq Volume 2,071,461,880

Overseas
Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 0.89 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.02 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.80 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.89 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,609.40 -68.30 -1.02%
DAX 7,921.40 -64.01 -0.80%
CAC 40 5,767.24 -51.56 -0.89%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 17,106.09 +150.78 +0.89%
Hang Seng 29,465.05 +166.34 +0.57%

Straits Times 3,809.69 -30.04 -0.78%

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071018/wall_street.html?.v=38
Stocks Little Changed After BofA Report
Thursday October 18, 5:45 pm ET
By Joe Bel Bruno, AP Business Writer
Tentative Buying Helps Wall Street Pare Losses Triggered by BofA Results, Economic Worries

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street pared its losses to finish mostly flat Thursday but remained uneasy after disappointing results from Bank of America Corp. provided further evidence that the credit crisis is hurting the economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average, which fell as much as 60 points early in the session, rebounded as bargain hunters entered the market, betting Thursday's dismal data could convince the Federal Reserve to lower rates again.

Still, investors remained spooked after BofA -- considered a bellwether for the banking industry because it has branches across the country -- said "significant dislocations" in the capital markets sent third-quarter profits down 32 percent. Citigroup Inc. and Washington Mutual Inc. reported similar results in recent days.


Banks and brokerages have been hurt during the third quarter in the fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis. As people with weak credit defaulted on loans at an alarming rate, it triggered a global aversion for risk that led the credit markets to freeze up.

Treasurys rallied and the dollar fell to a new low against the euro after the Labor Department said the number of newly laid off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits shot up last week by the largest amount since February. The report was far worse than economists expected, and signaled that the labor market could be starting to weaken from a downturn in housing and the global credit turmoil.

"There are so many factors going on right now between the dollar getting crushed, oil moving higher, and news out of the banking sector," said Greg Church, chief investment officer of Church Capital Management. "Yet, it is amazing to me that this market continues to lift its head. The market came back somewhat because there's that whole camp that thinks any bad news is good news that the Fed will lower rates."

The Dow fell 3.58, or 0.03 percent, to 13,888.96.

Broader indexes finished mixed. The Standard & Poor's index fell 1.16, or 0.08 percent, to 1,540.08, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index added 6.64, or 0.24 percent, to 2,799.31. Tech shares have outperformed this week as some investors lately regard profits at some of these companies to better withstand an economic slowdown.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to prices, fell to 4.50 percent from 4.55 percent late Wednesday. Treasury prices rose again after rallying sharply Wednesday amid growing signs of trouble in the housing sector.

Also, the Philadelphia Federal Reserve reported that its October manufacturing index came in weaker than expected. The report showed a slowdown in growth for the regional economy, and some inflationary pressures.

Sluggish economic data could help motivate the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut interest rates at its Oct. 30-31 meeting. Central bankers cut rates by a half point at their September meeting.

Oil prices continued their advance amid further tensions between Turkey and Kurdish rebels in Northern Iraq. Light, sweet crude rose $2.07 to settle at a record $89.47 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Disappointing results from BofA made some investors wary about quarterly results yet to arrive.

"Washington Mutual and Bank of America announcements reminds people that there is a housing issue out there, and that its tough to analyze on how bad it can get before it gets better," said John C. Forelli, portfolio manager for Independence Investment. "What we need is some confidence that other parts of the economy are reaccelerating as a result of the rate cuts."

Technology could be one bright for uneasy investors Friday. After Thursday's closing bell, Google Inc. posted a 46 percent jump in its third-quarter profit, topping the big expectations that have elevated the Internet search leader's stock price by more $100 during the past month. Google, which ended the regular session up $6.14 at $639.62, rose in heavy after-hours trading.

About 60 members of the Standard & Poor's 500 index have reported quarterly results so far this week. Most of the attention has been on the nation's biggest banks, which reported mostly disappointing results on write-downs from leveraged loans, mortgages, and consumer credit.

Bank of America fell $1.18, or 2.4 percent, to $48.85.

Washington Mutual tumbled $2.55, or 7.7 percent, to $30.52 after it reported quarterly profit plunged 72 percent. The stock hit a 52-week low of $30; its previous low was $31.27.

E-Trade Financial Corp. late Wednesday reported an unexpected loss because of its exposure to credit markets. The discount brokerage's shares tumbled $1, or 8 percent, to $11.47.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies edged up 0.14, or 0.02 percent, to 825.03.

Declining issues led advancers by a thin margin on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 3.13 billion, shares compared with 3.50 billion traded Wednesday.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 0.89 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.02 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.80 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.89 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

We could be in big trouble on Monday!!!!

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER by -366.94 points -2.64% on Friday October 19:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,522.02 -366.94 -2.64%

-- Day's Range: 13511.94 - 13888.47
-- 52wk Range: 11,881.30 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,725.16 -74.15 -2.65%
-- Day's Range: 2725.16 - 2799.32
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,500.63 -39.45 -2.56%
-- Day's Range: 1500.26 - 1540.00
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.6890% -0.0900
-- Day's Range: 4.6780 - 4.7650
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 4,215,594,000
Nasdaq Volume 2,451,578,250

Overseas
Japan's Nikkei stock average closed down 1.71 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.23 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.47 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.46 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,527.90 -81.50 -1.23%
DAX 7,884.12 -37.28 -0.47%
CAC 40 5,740.48 -26.76 -0.46%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,814.37 -291.72 -1.71%
Hang Seng 29,465.05 +166.34 +0.57%
Straits Times 3,747.98 -61.71 -1.62%

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071019/wall_street.html?.v=37
Stocks Sink on Black Monday Anniversary
Friday October 19, 5:56 pm ET
By Tim Paradis, AP Business Writer
Stocks Fall Sharply Amid Lackluster Profit Reports, Credit Concerns

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Dow Jones industrial average dropped more than 360 points Friday -- the 20th anniversary of the Black Monday crash -- as lackluster corporate earnings, renewed credit concerns and rising oil prices spooked investors.

The major stock market indexes turned in their worst week since July after Caterpillar Inc., one of the world's largest construction equipment makers, soured investors mood Friday with a discouraging assessment of the U.S. economy. In a week dominated by mostly negative results from banks facing difficult credit markets and rising mortgage delinquencies, investors appeared surprised that an industrial name was feeling an economic pinch, too.

Reports from Honeywell International Inc. and 3M Co., themselves big industrial names, gave investors little incentive to take chances on the market. In one bright spot, Google Inc. reported stronger-than-expected profits, drawing a number of analyst upgrades.


Investor sentiment took another hit when Standard & Poor's again reduced its ratings on residential mortgage-backed securities. The latest reduction, on more than 1,400 types of securities, added to investors unease about credit quality.

And oil prices added to investors' list of worries after briefly moving above the psychological barrier of $90 per barrel for the first time.

"I was not surprised there was some correction, given our expectation that earnings growth was going to fall short of expectations," said Alan Gayle, senior investment strategist, director of asset allocation for Trusco Capital Management.

"I think stock analysts were slow to incorporate the impact of the subprime crisis on third-quarter earnings," he added.

The Dow fell 366.94, or 2.64 percent, to 13,522.02. The Dow was down for the fifth straight session and for the week was off 4.05 percent. For the year, the blue chip index is now up 8.5 percent.

Broader stock indicators also fell sharply Friday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 39.45, or 2.56 percent, to 1,500.63, and the Nasdaq composite index dropped 74.15, or 2.65 percent, to 2,725.16.

For the week, the S&P 500 fell 3.92 percent and the Nasdaq fell 2.87 percent.

Friday's pullback pales in comparison to what investors had to contend with 20 years ago. On Oct. 19, 1987 -- Black Monday -- the Dow plunged 23 percent amid concerns about interest rates and slowing economic growth. A decline of similar proportion given the market's current levels would mean a drop of some 3,000 points.

Friday's decline was the 9th biggest point drop in the Dow since Black Monday.

A decline Friday in the NYSE composite index proved steep enough to trigger trading curbs, which puts restrictions on certain types of sell orders. These type of protections were put in place as part of the response to Black Monday.

Bonds prices rose again Friday, extending a rally to an unusual five sessions. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, fell to 4.40 percent from 4.50 percent late Thursday. The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices fell.

After touching $90.07 overnight, light, sweet crude fell 87 cents to settle at $88.60 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices have spiked due amid forces such as a weak dollar and thin supplies at a key Midwest oil terminal.

Illustrating investors' unease, the Chicago Board Options Exchange's volatility index, known as the VIX, and often referred to as the "fear index," spiked Friday, jumping 24 percent.

"Investors are starting to get concerned about both the pace of the U.S. economy and the pace of earnings growth," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Jefferies & Co.

Hogan noted that for much of the week investors focused on results from banks, which saw profits drop on souring mortgage loans and tight credit markets. But seeing weakness Friday in industrial company earnings reports increased their nervousness.

"We've got a multitude of earnings that are less than optimal in spaces outside the financials," he said.

Caterpillar fell $4.09, or 5.3 percent, to $73.57 after its third-quarter earnings rose 21 percent but fell short of Wall Street's expectations. In addition, the company lowered its full-year forecast.

Honeywell, the diversified manufacturer, turned in a 14 percent increase in its third-quarter earnings. The company raised its forecast for full-year earnings to the high end of its previously targeted range. An analyst, however, described profit margins at the company's transportation and automation and controls segments as disappointing. The stock declined $2.37, or 3.9 percent, to $58.32.

3M, the maker of Scotch tape and Post-It Notes, said its quarterly profit jumped 7 percent amid strong growth across all regions, but sales missed expectations. The company raised its profit outlook for the full year. The company also announced plans to cut prices on its profitable films for LCD television screens. The stock fell $8.11, or 8.6 percent, to $86.62.

Wachovia Corp. fell $1.74, or 3.6 percent, to $46.40 after reporting third-quarter profits fell 10 percent due to write-downs related to difficult credit market conditions. The nation's fourth largest bank signaled increasing credit troubles ahead.

Google rose $5.09 to $644.71 after the search engine leader said advertising spending lifted third-quarter profit by 46 percent.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by more than 5 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.79 billion shares compared with 1.27 billion shares traded Thursday.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 26.24, or 3.18 percent, to 798.79.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed down 1.71 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.23 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.47 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.46 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by +44.95 points +0.33% on Monday October 22:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,566.97 +44.95 +0.33%

-- Day's Range: 13407.49 - 13587.22
-- 52wk Range: 11,881.30 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,753.93 +28.77 +1.06%
-- Day's Range: 2698.14 - 2755.47
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,506.33 +5.70 +0.38%
-- Day's Range: 1490.40 - 1508.06
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.6720% -0.0170
-- Day's Range: 4.6590 - 4.7160
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 3,471,825,500
Nasdaq Volume 2,033,366,500

Overseas
Overseas markets were unsettled, responding to Friday's drop on Wall Street. In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average declined 2.24 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 3.7 percent. In later European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.05 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 1.13 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 1.38 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,459.30 -68.60 -1.05%
DAX 7,794.94 -89.18 -1.13%
CAC 40 5,661.27 -79.21 -1.38%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,438.47 -375.90 -2.24%
Hang Seng 28,373.63 -1,091.42 -3.70%
Straits Times 3,642.64 -105.34 -2.81%


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071022/wall_street.html?.v=51
Stocks End Volatile Session Higher
Monday October 22, 5:46 pm ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Stocks Reverse Losses, Finish Higher Amid Strength in Technology Sector and Bargain Hunting

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street finished a back-and-forth session higher Monday as investors overcame some of their nervousness about the credit markets and uneven earnings and found solace in the technology sector.

Several companies including drug maker Merck & Co. reported decent third-quarter results, but investors were unhappy with rival drug maker Schering Plough Corp.'s results. They were also mindful of the downbeat profit outlooks from several blue chip companies last week.

Still, after an early slide, the market seemed to grow optimistic about Apple Inc.'s earnings, which did top Wall Street's expectations when the company reported after the closing bell. The eager anticipation of the report sent tech stocks higher, and by early afternoon, other stocks were tagging along.

Disappointing earnings and Standard & Poor's downgrade of another series of mortgage-backed securities sent stocks plunging Friday, taking the Dow Jones industrials down 366 points.

"It is not unusual for a big down day to be followed by an up day. I think the bargain hunters are out there," said Brian Gendreau, investment strategist for ING Investment Management. "It seems there's fairly strong demand out there, despite all the bloodletting on Friday."

He noted that while some big-name companies' results have disappointed Wall Street, about two-thirds of earnings so far have beat estimates and outlooks remain upbeat for the technology and health care sectors.

The Dow rose 44.95, or 0.33 percent, to 13,566.97, after falling more than 100 points early in the session.

Broader stock indicators finished higher, with tech stocks leading. The S&P 500 index rose 5.70, or 0.38 percent, to 1,506.33, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq composite index rose 28.77, or 1.06 percent, to 2,753.93.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies climbed 11.29, or 1.41 percent, to 810.08.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 9 to 7 on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 3.4 billion shares, compared with a heavy 4.05 billion shares traded Friday.

Treasury bonds were little changed after Friday's steep gains. The yield on the 10-year note, which moves inversely to its price, was flat at 4.40 percent.

On Friday -- the 20-year anniversary of the Black Monday crash -- investors sold off stocks and bought up safer assets like U.S. Treasury bonds as the prospect of a thaw in the frozen credit markets grew dimmer.

Though the major U.S. stock indexes showed signs of strength Monday, there are still big worries on Wall Street about how problems in the financial markets might drag on corporate and economic growth -- concerns that make the record highs reached earlier this month by the Dow and the Standard & Poor's 500 index appear unreasonable.

"It may take a little time here, a week or two, of trying to heal," said Steven Goldman, chief market strategist at Weeden & Co.

Overseas markets were unsettled, responding to Friday's drop on Wall Street. In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average declined 2.24 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 3.7 percent. In later European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1.05 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 1.13 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 1.38 percent.

Strong tech earnings could give a boost to investor sentiment.

Apple's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings handily topped Wall Street's expectations as the company set a record for quarterly shipments of its Mac computers and sold more than 1 million iPhones. Apple shares, which finished the regular session up $3.94, or 2.3 percent, at $174.36 rose 6 percent in after-hours electronic trading.

Netflix Inc., the online DVD rental service, said its third-quarter earnings rose 23 percent as its subscriber base grew. The company's results topped its expectations. Netflix slipped 23 cents to $23.01 in the regular session but rose 13 percent in after-hours trading.

American Express Co., one of the nation's biggest credit card issuers, said Monday higher spending by cardholders pushed third-quarter profit up 10 percent but that it set aside more money for write-downs. Amex fell 24 cents to $56.87 during the session and rose more than 2 percent in after-hours trading.

Schering-Plough's profit gain, however, fell short of expectations. The drug maker fell $4.37, or 13.4 percent, to $28.34.

Analysts said the upbeat results that arrived Monday won't erase all of investors' concerns.

"People are worried there are more time bombs out there," Gendreau said. He posited that a big reason the market sold off as sharply as it did last week was because fund managers wanted to lock in positive returns for the year before any more bad news hits.

Over the weekend, the world's economic leaders not only said that smoothing the turbulent global financial markets will require vigilance, but they also warned of inflation risks -- which puts central banks like the U.S. Federal Reserve in a tight spot. The Fed lowered interest rates on Sept. 18 to make borrowing cheaper amid a growing credit market crisis, and Wall Street hopes policy makers reduce rates again when they meet next week.

Fed Governor Randall Kroszner at a speech in Washington reaffirmed that the central bank will "act as needed" to calm the financial markets. He also said problems with structured credit products -- which dampened the profits at several banks in the third quarter -- are recovering, but gradually.

Crude oil futures settled down $1.04 to $87.56 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gold also declined, while the dollar rebounded sharply against several major currencies.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071023/wall_street.html

Wall Street Headed to Higher Open

Tuesday October 23, 9:10 am ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Stocks Head Toward Higher Open on Strong Profits From Apple, American Express, DuPont

NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks were poised to open higher Tuesday, with Wall Street growing more upbeat about corporate profits after solid results from blue chip names including Apple Inc., American Express Co. and DuPont Co.

After the market closed Monday, Apple surpassed analysts' expectations with a 67 percent jump in fiscal fourth-quarter profit on strong sales of Macintosh computers, iPods and iPhones. The report renewed confidence in the technology sector, which has outpaced the stock market this year but which also has tended to fall the hardest when investors sell off.

Two Dow components -- American Express, one of the largest credit card companies, and chemicals maker DuPont -- posted better-than-expected profit gains as well. In premarket trading, Apple rose 7.5 percent; American Express rose 3.7 percent; and DuPont rose 4.1 percent.


Other companies whose shares rose on higher-than-anticipated earnings Tuesday included TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., UPS, JetBlue Airways Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp., and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.
 
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071023/wall_street.html

Wall Street Headed to Higher Open

Tuesday October 23, 9:10 am ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Stocks Head Toward Higher Open on Strong Profits From Apple, American Express, DuPont

NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks were poised to open higher Tuesday, with Wall Street growing more upbeat about corporate profits after solid results from blue chip names including Apple Inc., American Express Co. and DuPont Co.

After the market closed Monday, Apple surpassed analysts' expectations with a 67 percent jump in fiscal fourth-quarter profit on strong sales of Macintosh computers, iPods and iPhones. The report renewed confidence in the technology sector, which has outpaced the stock market this year but which also has tended to fall the hardest when investors sell off.

Two Dow components -- American Express, one of the largest credit card companies, and chemicals maker DuPont -- posted better-than-expected profit gains as well. In premarket trading, Apple rose 7.5 percent; American Express rose 3.7 percent; and DuPont rose 4.1 percent.


Other companies whose shares rose on higher-than-anticipated earnings Tuesday included TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., UPS, JetBlue Airways Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp., and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.

An evening update ey ;)
It must be bullish!!

Reminds me of myself, I only update my portfolio when the ASX is very green. Like today :D
Yesterday I didn't bother lol.
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by +109.26 points +0.81% on Tuesday October 23:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,676.23 +109.26 +0.81%

-- Day's Range: 13540.88 - 13684.60
-- 52wk Range: 11,926.80 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,799.26 +45.33 +1.65%
-- Day's Range: 2758.53 - 2799.26
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,519.59 +13.26 +0.88%
-- Day's Range: 1503.61 - 1520.01
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.6920% +0.0200
-- Day's Range: 4.6860 - 4.7150
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 3,174,199,500
Nasdaq Volume 2,328,145,000

Overseas
In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average inched up 0.07 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index soared 3.54 percent.

In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.85 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.61 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.77 percent.


Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,514.00 +54.70 +0.85%
DAX 7,842.79 +47.85 +0.61%
CAC 40 5,705.05 +43.78 +0.77%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,450.58 +12.11 +0.07%
Hang Seng 29,376.86 +1,003.23 +3.54%
Straits Times 3,695.30 +52.66 +1.45%


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071023/wall_street.html?.v=55
Stocks End Higher on Earnings Reports
Tuesday October 23, 5:17 pm ET
By Joe Bel Bruno, AP Business Writer
Wall Street Rebounds on Strong Earnings Reports, Absorbs Concerns About Housing and Economy

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street ended an erratic session with a big advance Tuesday as investors uneasy about the economy were reassured by solid earnings from blue chip names including Apple Inc. and American Express Co. The Dow Jones industrial average rose more than 100 points.

Technology stocks were among the biggest gainers after Apple surpassed analysts' expectations with a 67 percent jump in fiscal fourth-quarter profit on strong sales of Macintosh computers, iPods and iPhones. Two Dow components -- American Express, one of the largest credit card companies, and chemicals maker DuPont Co. -- posted better-than-expected profit gains as well.

But comments from DuPont Chief Executive Charles O. Holliday Jr. that the company doesn't expect a recovery in the housing market next year reminded investors of the still uneasy forecasts for the economy. Holliday's remarks helped pull the major indexes down from their session highs before the indicators rebounded in afternoon trading.


"Housing is obviously still a big concern, and the question is how much does it spill over into the rest of the economy," said Alexander Paris, economist and market analyst for Chicago-based Barrington Research. "I think the trend for the market is down unless investors see something positive, and the market drifts back up again."

He said investors were also adjusting their positions ahead of key housing data this week. On Thursday, the National Association of Realtors will release its existing home sales report, while the Commerce Department reports new home sales a day later.

The Dow rose 109.26, or 0.81 percent, to 13,676.23.

Broader stock indicators also had solid gains. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 13.26, or 0.88 percent, to 1,519.59; the Nasdaq composite index rose 45.33, or 1.65 percent, to 2,799.26.

The stock market extended its recovery from Monday after plunging Friday. Wall Street had sold off for five straight sessions as worries about the credit market's effect on the economy escalated, when several blue chip companies offered sluggish outlooks and S&P downgraded more mortgage-backed securities.

Higher energy prices and a weakening dollar are also hanging over the market. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said in a speech Tuesday China must allow its currency, the yuan, to gain in value more quickly, to counter imbalances in the economy and make monetary policy more effective in responding to inflation.

Analysts believe investors are also looking for the Federal Reserve to throw them a lifeline when it meets next week to decide the future of rates. Wall Street widely expects the central bank will again lower rates after its half-point cut in September.

"I think you're going to see trading will be really choppy between now and next week's Federal Reserve meeting," said Scott Fullman, director of investment strategy for I.A. Englander & Co. "The market is very sensitive right now, and I continue to tell my clients that I don't mind being long so long as you're hedged -- risk levels are still high."

Treasury bonds were little changed amid a disappointing auction of new issues, and as investors moved back into stocks. The yield on the 10-year note, which moves inversely to its price, edged higher to 4.41 percent from 4.40 percent on Monday.

Oil prices dipped on expectations of rising U.S. crude inventories, and concerns over a continuing buildup of Turkish military forces along the northern Iraqi border. A barrel of light, sweet crude fell 75 cents to $85.27 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The dollar fell against most other major currencies, while gold rose.

Earnings commanded most of the attention on Tuesday as investors looked for any indication about how companies fared during the quarter, and what they expect for the balance of the year. Recent results reinvigorated investors after companies posted a string of downbeat results last week, a disappointment that contributed to a 366-point slide in the Dow Friday.

So far, roughly 41 percent of the Standard & Poor's 500 companies have reported results -- with 51 percent beating expectations, according to the rating agency.

Apple rose $11.80, or 6.3 percent, to $186.16 after the company reported it shipped a record 2.16 million Macs in the quarter, an increase of 34 percent from the same period a year ago. That generated $3.1 billion, or about half of the company's revenues for the quarter.

American Express said late Monday higher spending by cardholders pushed third-quarter profit up 10 percent. Shares rose $1.79, or 3.2 percent, to $58.66.

DuPont posted a larger profit for the third quarter on agricultural and nutritional products in Latin America and the company boosted its full-year outlook. The stock rose 24 cents to $46.81.

AT&T Inc., the nation's largest telecommunications company, reported profit rose 42 percent after its acquisition of BellSouth Corp. Shares rose 85 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $42.02.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 8.45, or 1.05 percent, to 818.53.

Advancing issues led decliners by a 2 to 1 margin on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.15 billion shares compared to 1.39 billion on Monday.

In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average inched up 0.07 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index soared 3.54 percent. In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.85 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.61 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.77 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by -0.98 points -0.01% on Wednesday October 24:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,675.25 -0.98 -0.01%

-- Day's Range: 13470.16 - 13690.45
-- 52wk Range: 11,926.80 - 14,280.00

The Dow Jones industrials fell in morning trading by as many as 200 points after the market got one of its most-feared scenarios: Not only is the housing implosion dampening corporate profits, it appears to be accelerating.

But the blue chip index reversed direction later in the day, briefly bobbing into positive territory as rumors circulated that the Federal Reserve -- scheduled to meet next week -- might be lowering the discount rate before then.


Nasdaq 2,774.76 -24.50 -0.88%
-- Day's Range: 2720.30 - 2781.96
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,515.88 -3.71 -0.24%
-- Day's Range: 1489.56 - 1517.23
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.6410% -0.0510
-- Day's Range: 4.6260 - 4.6880
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 4,003,297,750
Nasdaq Volume 2,812,582,750

Overseas
In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.56 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.15 percent.

In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.49 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.18 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.56 percent.



Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,482.00 -32.00 -0.49%
DAX 7,828.96 -13.83 -0.18%
CAC 40 5,674.67 -30.38 -0.53%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,358.39 -92.19 -0.56%
Hang Seng 29,333.53 -43.33 -0.15%
Straits Times 3,649.12 -46.18 -1.25%


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071024/wall_street.html?.v=54
Stocks Finish Rocky Session Lower
Wednesday October 24, 5:42 pm ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Stocks Fall, but Recover From Steep Early Losses After Merrill Credit Losses, Home Sales Drop

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street recovered from steep losses Wednesday amid hopes for an imminent interest rate cut, but stocks still closed down in response to Merrill Lynch & Co.'s credit-related losses and a sharp drop in existing home sales.

The Dow Jones industrials fell in morning trading by as many as 200 points after the market got one of its most-feared scenarios: Not only is the housing implosion dampening corporate profits, it appears to be accelerating.

But the blue chip index reversed direction later in the day, briefly bobbing into positive territory as rumors circulated that the Federal Reserve -- scheduled to meet next week -- might be lowering the discount rate before then. The central bank has also been adding a substantial amount of liquidity to the financial system over the last three days.


"Once people hear about a rumor, they cover their shorts. Even though it's just a rumor that's out there," said Ryan Detrick, senior technical strategist at Schaeffer's Investment Research. Short-covering is when traders undo bets that the market is going to fall. "There was a lot of bad news this morning. It's pretty clear Wall Street wants a rate cut and wants it soon."

Investors have been clamoring for a cut with fresh evidence that the housing slump and summer's credit crisis continues to drag on the economy. Merrill Lynch said it wrote down $7.9 billion from its exposure to mortgage-related securities, while a new housing report showed existing home sales plunged last month.

The Dow was off just 0.98, or 0.01 percent, at 13,675.25.

Broader stock indicators fell, but were also off earlier lows. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 3.71, or 0.24 percent, to 1,515.88, while the technology-dominated Nasdaq composite index lost 24.50, or 0.88 percent, to 2,774.76.

Speculation about an emergency meeting of Fed governors rippled through Wall Street in the late afternoon, and caused stocks to rebound. However, such a meeting seemed unlikely given that the Fed meets next week to decide whether to lower interest rates to make borrowing cheaper.

"The market wouldn't want to hear that Fed was turning a blind eye to the news flow," said Jeff Kleintop, chief market strategist at LPL Financial Services in Boston. "They want to hear more signs that the Fed is noticing this weakness."

The increasing possibility of a cut sent Treasury bond prices sharply higher during the session. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, fell to 4.33 percent from 4.40 percent on Tuesday. In after-hours trading, the yield stood at 4.35 percent.

The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices fell.

Meanwhile, investors kept a close watch on oil prices to gauge inflation. Oil resumed its climb after a surprise drop in inventories, with a barrel of light sweet crude up $1.83 at $87.10 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The financial sector was among the hardest hit on Wednesday after Merrill reported worse-than-expected loss of $2.3 billion. Adding to worries, Merrill Chief Executive Stan O'Neal pointed to "renewed signs of volatility and weakness" in the market environment.

Shares of the world's largest brokerage tumbled $3.90, or 5.8 percent, to $63.22.

Further deterioration in the housing market could aggravate the financial sector's troubles. The National Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales fell in September for the seventh straight month by a larger-than-expected 8 percent -- the largest decline in records dating back to 1999.

The tech sector lost the momentum it had earlier in the week. The biggest loser among the 30 Dow companies was Nasdaq-traded Intel Corp., which suffered a blow after several chip companies, including Broadcom Corp., reported disappointing results late Tuesday. Intel fell 79 cents, or 3 percent, to $26.01 while Broadcom slid $7.14, or 17 percent, to $34.92.

And Amazon.Inc. shares plunged $12.09, or 12 percent, to $88.73 after it reported quarter profit only beat per-share estimates by a penny. Investors didn't see enough reason to bring the Internet retailer's shares, already at their loftiest level since 1999, even higher.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 7.68, or 0.94 percent, to 810.85.

And, the session continued a pattern of volatility as investors remained reactive to news items. Declining issues led advancers by about 2 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 3.88 billion, up from 3.21 billion on Tuesday.

"Volatility has increased substantially primarily because we have a very nervous market," said Al Goldman, chief market strategist at A.G. Edwards. "If there is good news, the market pops up. If there is bad news, it falls."

In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.56 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.15 percent. In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.49 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.18 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.56 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Re: NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The the past two days the Dow has been close to even; three cheers!
-0.98 points -0.01% on Wednesday October 24
-3.33 points -0.02% on Thursday October 25

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by -3.33 points -0.02% on Thursday October 25:

Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,671.92 -3.33 -0.02%
-- Day's Range: 13547.63 - 13741.26
-- 52wk Range: 11,926.80 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,750.86 -23.90 -0.86%
-- Day's Range: 2733.08 - 2787.29
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,514.40 -1.48 -0.10%
-- Day's Range: 1500.46 - 1523.24
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.6550% +0.0140
-- Day's Range: 4.6310 - 4.6670
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 4,183,961,750
Nasdaq Volume 2,797,037,500

Overseas
In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.45 percent, but Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.78 percent.

In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.45 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 1.32 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 1.51 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,576.30 +94.30 +1.45%
DAX 7,932.44 +103.48 +1.32%
CAC 40 5,760.30 +85.63 +1.51%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,284.17 -74.22 -0.45%
Hang Seng 29,854.49 +520.96 +1.78%
Straits Times 3,707.14 +58.02 +1.59%


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071025/wall_street.html?.v=40
Stocks Moderately Lower on Housing Data
Thursday October 25, 6:11 pm ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Wall Street Closes Modestly Lower, Dogged by Credit and Economic Worries As Oil Prices Rise

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street closed slightly lower in erratic trading Thursday as investors uneasy about the credit markets and record-high oil prices took little solace from reports on new home sales and durable goods orders.

The Commerce Department said sales of new homes rose 4.8 percent in September from August's levels. The market initially popped on the data, as economists had predicted a decline. But it eventually pulled back because the sales increase was due to a big downward revision in August's decline, and that homebuilders had offered discounts in September to move inventory.

"The sad part is, even with the discounts, we still have inventory overhang. And that's a problem," said Michael Strauss, chief economist at Commonfund. He noted that home prices are still falling, as are sales of existing homes, which make up the majority of the housing market.


Another report showed that orders of big-ticket items, one gauge of business spending, fell 1.7 percent in September, following August's 5.3 percent drop. The economic data drew close attention by Wall Street as investors look for clues to determine if the Federal Reserve will lower rates at its meeting next week.

Meanwhile, investors also had to contend with higher energy prices -- crude oil spiked to an all-time high of $90.60 a barrel before settling slightly lower -- and credit worries continued to dog the market. Speculation that insurer American International Group Inc. might suffer credit costs weighed on the Dow Jones industrial average, which later rebounded from its lows.

The Dow fell 3.33, or 0.02 percent, to 13,671.92 after changing direction several times. The blue chip index was briefly down more than 100 points.

Broader stock indicators also fell. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 1.48, or 0.10 percent, to 1,514.40, while the Nasdaq composite index fell 23.90, or 0.86 percent, to 2,750.86.

Treasury bond prices stalled as investors moved in and out of the stock market. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, was unchanged at 4.35 percent from its close on Wednesday and then rose to 4.38 percent in after-hours trading.

Investors appeared unsure both about the direction of the economy and whether the central bank will be compelled to lower interest rates again to boost spending. The central bank reduced rates last month by a half-percentage-point.

Many seem to believe the Fed will cut rates several times over the next six months to keep the economy moving forward, said Paul Nolte, director of investments at Hinsdale Associates. However, there does remain some doubt about the Fed's economic plan.

Commonfund's Strauss said the Fed may not be as aggressive as the market is hoping. "We're still going to get a decent third-quarter GDP number, and there's pressure from the energy complex that we're concerned about," he said.

Meanwhile, the housing report released Thursday might not be enough to sway the Fed in either direction. Dave Seiders, the National Association of Home Builders' chief economist, said some of the data in the government report might not give an accurate picture of the industry.

"If you look at the composition of this, all of the increase was recorded in the West region, which from other sources we know actually is very weak," he said. "So I have a problem with the legitimacy of the reported increase in September."

Rising energy prices also unsettled the market. Crude futures rose $3.36 to close at $90.46 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange due to concerns about OPEC oil ministers not meeting demand.

And mixed earnings reports added to the uncertainty. Motorola Inc. and data storage specialist EMC Corp. showed respectable growth, but Comcast Corp. and Symantec Corp. disappointed investors.

Motorola managed in the third quarter to post its first quarterly profit this year. The cell phone maker's earnings expectations for the fourth quarter were higher than forecasts, and shares rose 76 cents, or 4.1 percent, to $19.31.

EMC said third-quarter profit rose 77 percent largely due to growing sales of data storage software and hardware. EMC shares rose $1.97, or 8.7 percent, to $24.40.

But dragging on the technology-dominated Nasdaq, Symantec issued disappointing guidance. The security software maker's shares tumbled $2.52, or 11.99 percent, to $18.50. Comcast fell $2.57, or 11 percent, to $21.28 after it missed Wall Street expectations.

The dollar fell against most other major currencies, except the yen, while gold prices rose.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 4.74, or 0.58 percent, to 806.11.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by 3 to 2 on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 4.07 billion shares, up from 3.88 billion on Wednesday.

In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.45 percent, but Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.78 percent. In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.45 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 1.32 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 1.51 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Re: NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The Dow Jones industrial average ended the week up 284.68, or 2.11 percent, at 13,806.70. The Standard & Poor's 500 index finished up 34.65, or 2.31 percent, at 1,535.28. The Nasdaq composite index ended up 79.03, or 2.90 percent, at 2,804.19.

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by +134.78 points +0.99% on Friday October 26:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,806.70 +134.78 +0.99%

-- Day's Range: 13675.25 - 13811.25
-- 52wk Range: 11,926.80 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,804.19 +53.33 +1.94%
-- Day's Range: 2776.53 - 2810.31
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,535.28 +20.88 +1.38%
-- Day's Range: 1520.18 - 1535.53
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.6830% +0.0280
-- Day's Range: 4.6480 - 4.7020
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 3,616,435,000
Nasdaq Volume 2,589,767,250

Overseas
In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1.36 percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.84 percent.

In Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.29 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.21 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.60 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,661.30 +85.00 +1.29%
DAX 7,949.17 +16.73 +0.21%
CAC 40 5,794.87 +34.57 +0.60%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,505.63 +221.46 +1.36%
Hang Seng 30,405.22 +550.73 +1.84%
Straits Times 3,771.55 +64.41 +1.74%


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071026/wall_street.html?.v=36
Stocks Finish Volatile Week Higher
Friday October 26, 6:18 pm ET
By Leslie Wines, AP Business Writer
Wall Street Rises on Strong Microsoft Profit; Bonds Up, Commodities Strengthen

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street closed an erratic week with strong gains on Friday as strong earnings from Microsoft Corp. and an optimistic outlook from Countrywide Financial Corp. outweighed investor concerns about the economy.

Housing market news over the week was glum; oil prices surged to record highs. And though corporate earnings have so far been mixed, investors have been heartened by good news for individual companies.

Friday's report from Countrywide that it expects to return to profitability soon, despite a big third-quarter loss, gave investors hope that the problems in the housing market are contained and that U.S. consumers still have spending power. Thursday night's strong report from Microsoft inspired strong buying throughout the technology sector.


"The market is higher for just two reasons -- Countrywide and Microsoft," said Peter Boockvar, equity strategist at Miller Tabak. "You take those two stocks out of the equation and there is no reason for the market to be higher. Microsoft single-handedly is driving the Nasdaq."

Mixed profit reports and data showing economic weakness has made investors uncertain whether the market is overvalued. However, earnings will be pushed aside next week as the main focus of investor attention -- and taking it place will be the Federal Reserve's rate-setting meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 134.78, or 0.99 percent, to 13,806.70.

Broader stock indicators also gained. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 20.88, or 1.38 percent, to 1,535.28, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq composite index advanced 53.33, or 1.94 percent, to 2,804.19.

For the week, the Dow rose 2.11 percent, the Nasdaq was up 2.90 percent, and the S&P 500 jumped 2.31 percent. The gains were welcome after all three indexes posted losses in the previous week.

High oil prices didn't dampen investors' spirits either. After spiking above $92 a barrel in Asian trading overnight, December crude futures rose $1.40 to settle at $91.86 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

"Because oil prices are so high, our nation's oil bill has gone up. We're exporting dollars to pay for oil and our counterparties are reinvesting those dollars back in our markets -- the so-called petrodollars finding their way back," said Tom McManus, investment strategist with Banc of America Securities.

Even as stocks advanced, investors poured money into commodities markets as a hedge against a falling dollar, which hit another record low against the euro. Gold futures rose $16.50 to close at $787.50 an ounce, the highest price since January 1980. Energy, metals and agriculture futures all moved higher.

Treasury bonds turned lower as stocks barreled higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, rose to 4.39 percent from 4.38 percent late Thursday.

Friday's stock gains were fueled by company-specific news, according to Robert Pavlik, portfolio manager at Oaktree Asset Management.

"Trading today is sort of choppy, but stocks are moving up based on strong earnings from Microsoft," he said. "You're also getting a pop from Countrywide's strong guidance going forward. All this is bring some attention back to the stock market.

Countrywide posted a wide loss of more than $1 billion in the third quarter, but the beleaguered mortgage lender, whose stock has plummeted due to rising subprime mortgage defaults, said it will be profitable in the fourth quarter and next year. The shares jumped $4.23, or 32.36 percent, to $17.30.

Microsoft's reported that its profit jumped 23 percent, thanks to brisk sales of the new Halo 3 video game, Windows and Office. Microsoft shares rose $3.04, or 9.50 percent, to end at $35.03.

Financial stocks were solidly higher Friday, but the sector continues to show signs of uneasiness following the summer's credit market problems. The New York Times reported that after Merrill Lynch & Co. posted its sharp third-quarter loss Wednesday, the investment bank's chairman and chief executive floated the idea of a merger with Wachovia Corp. Merrill shares rose $5.19, or 8.52 percent, to close at $66.09.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by nearly 3 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume fell to 3.51 billion shares traded from 4.07 billion on Thursday.

The Russell 2000 Index of smaller companies rose 15.28, or 1.90 percent, to 821.39.

Stock markets overseas advanced.

In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1.36 percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1.84 percent. In Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.29 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.21 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.60 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended the week up 284.68, or 2.11 percent, at 13,806.70. The Standard & Poor's 500 index finished up 34.65, or 2.31 percent, at 1,535.28. The Nasdaq composite index ended up 79.03, or 2.90 percent, at 2,804.19.

The Russell 2000 index finished the week up 22.60, or 2.83 percent, at 821.39.

The Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Composite Index -- a free-float weighted index that measures 5,000 U.S. based companies -- ended Friday at 15,518.12, up 270.37 points, for the week. A year ago, the index was at 13,943.81.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Re: NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by +63.56 points +0.46% on Monday October 29:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,870.26 +63.56 +0.46%
-- Day's Range: 13805.31 - 13901.40
-- 52wk Range: 11,926.80 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,817.44 +13.25 +0.47%
-- Day's Range: 2805.25 - 2825.37
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,540.98 +5.70 +0.37%
-- Day's Range: 1536.43 - 1544.67
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.6630% -0.0200
-- Day's Range: 4.6530 - 4.6950
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 3,088,787,250
Nasdaq Volume 2,065,367,380

Overseas
In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1.17 percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 3.89 percent.

In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.67 percent, Germany's DAX index advanced 0.76 percent, and France's CAC-40 added 0.71 percent. NB looks like "Wall Street article" typo where FTSE100 rose 1.97% !!!

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,706.00 +129.70 +1.97%
DAX 8,009.67 +60.50 +0.76%
CAC 40 5,836.19 +41.32 +0.71%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,698.08 +192.45 +1.17%
Hang Seng 31,586.90 +1,181.68 +3.89%
Straits Times 3,819.78 +48.23 +1.28%


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071029/wall_street.html?.v=34
Wall Street Rises As Fed Meeting Looms
Monday October 29, 4:46 pm ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Stocks Lift As Wall Street Awaits Fed Meeting; Oil Prices Advance, Passing $93 for First Time

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street advanced Monday as investors undeterred by record oil prices speculated that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later this week to boost the slow economy and lure more buyers into the troubled credit markets.

The Fed begins its two-day meeting Tuesday, and the market widely expects a rate reduction the following day. Central bankers lowered rates by a half-point in September for the first time in four years after the credit markets seized up and posed the threat of recession. The economy has a hard time growing if companies can't borrow and lend money.

But with energy prices soaring to new records, the risk of inflation -- which tends to accelerate when rates are low -- may give policy makers some pause. Crude oil futures soared above $93 a barrel for the first time on the New York Mercantile Exchange Monday after a storm led Mexico's state oil company to suspend about a fifth of its oil production.


The Fed remains concerned about inflation but is likely to lower the target federal funds rate by a quarter-point due to overriding credit worries, said Scott Wren, equity strategist for A.G. Edwards & Sons.

"It's kind of a psychological sort of move," Wren said. "A 25 basis-point cut isn't going to ease the credit crunch. But it'll give the Fed a little more time to figure out what's going on with the economy."

According to preliminary calculations, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 63.56, or 0.46 percent, to 13,870.26.

Broader stock indicators also gained. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 5.70, or 0.37 percent, to 1,540.98, while the Nasdaq composite index rose 13.25, or 0.47 percent, at 2,817.44.

Treasury bond prices rose modestly as bond investors grew more cautious in their rate expectations. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to the price, slipped to 4.38 percent, from 4.41 percent late Friday.

The dollar was mixed against rival currencies, while gold prices rose.

Light, sweet crude for December rose $1.67 to settle at a record $93.53 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after rising as high as $93.80.

In addition to the hope for a rate cut, an earnings report from electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. encouraged Wall Street that companies are still seeing rising profits despite the slowing economy. RadioShack, after swinging to a third-quarter profit thanks to reduced expenses and improved inventory, rose 80 cents, or 4.1 percent, to $20.42.

Worries about Office Depot Inc.'s results, however, caused the retailer's shares to drop $2.86, or 14.1 percent, to $17.43. Three analysts downgraded the stock after the company said it will postpone its third-quarter earnings report.

Earnings so far have generally shown weakness in the financial and housing sectors but strength in others.

"It's a stock-pickers' kind of market. If you're in the right sectors, you're going to do well, but if you're in the broader market, you've got exposure to those weak sectors," said Rob Lutts, president and chief investment officer of Cabot Money Management.

Nearly 300 companies in the S&P 500 reported earnings by last Friday, on average posted a third-quarter profit decline of 4.9 percent, said Nick Raich, director of equity research for National City's private client group. The figure was wider than the consensus, but primarily because of the dismal results at companies with exposure to housing and the credit markets. Eight of the S&P 500's 10 sectors reported average earnings gains of 8 percent or more, and five of those sectors posted double-digit gains.

And though record-high crude prices and rising metal prices hurt consumers, they helped boost the stocks of companies who sell those commodities. ExxonMobil Corp. and Alcoa Inc. were among the biggest gainers in the Dow.

Alcoa rose $1.08, or 2.7 percent, to $40.43.

ExxonMobil rose $1.40 to $93.61.

In other corporate news, investors awaited the fate of Merrill Lynch & Co.'s chief executive Stan O'Neal, who was reportedly close to resigning amid broad criticism for leading the company to its biggest quarterly loss in its 93-year history. Merrill shares rose $1.33, or 2 percent, to $67.42.

Trading was relatively light Monday. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 4 to 3 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.22 billion shares.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 0.33, or 0.04 percent, to 821.72.

In Asian trading, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1.17 percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 3.89 percent. In European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.67 percent, Germany's DAX index advanced 0.76 percent, and France's CAC-40 added 0.71 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Re: NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by -77.79 points -0.56% on Tuesday October 30:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,792.47 -77.79 -0.56%
-- Day's Range: 13778.41 - 13869.29
-- 52wk Range: 11,926.80 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,816.71 -0.73 -0.03%
-- Day's Range: 2803.67 - 2828.82
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,531.02 -9.96 -0.65%
-- Day's Range: 1529.55 - 1539.42
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.6730% +0.0100
-- Day's Range: 4.6540 - 4.7060
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 3,178,637,250
Nasdaq Volume 2,198,204,250


Overseas
Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.70 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.40 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.55 percent.

Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.28 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.16 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,659.00 -47.00 -0.70%
DAX 7,977.94 -31.73 -0.40%
CAC 40 5,803.93 -32.26 -0.55%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,651.01 -47.07 -0.28%
Hang Seng 31,638.22 +51.32 +0.16%
Straits Times 3,798.45 -21.33 -0.56%

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071030/wall_street.html?.v=36
Stocks Slide Ahead of Fed Rate Decision
Tuesday October 30, 4:34 pm ET
By Madlen Read, AP Business Writer
Wall Street Falls Ahead of Federal Reserve Rate Decision and After Dip in Consumer Confidence

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street pulled back Tuesday as investors uneasy after a drop in consumer confidence traded cautiously ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decision.

After the Fed's half-point reduction in September, most investors expect the central bank to deliver a quarter-point cut at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday.

But inflation remains a threat. Crude oil prices fell Tuesday, but only after hitting a record a day earlier, and meanwhile, the dollar has been tumbling. So a rate cut -- much less additional decreases in the coming months -- is not a given.


Some on Wall Street fear economic growth could halt if rates aren't lowered, given the troubles in housing and credit. The statement the Fed issues alongside its rate decision will be closely read for clues about future moves.

"We don't think the economy's about to slip into recession. The corporate portion of the economy is still in pretty good shape," said Phil Orlando, chief equity market strategist at Federated Investors. "However, should the Fed choose not to cut anymore, and the economy continue to slip, that potentially could raise some concerns for us."

Most earnings have been coming in better than expected over the past few weeks, particularly in the technology sector. But consumers, the key drivers of the economy, appear to be flagging.

Following last week's news of a significant decline in existing home sales and Standard & Poor's report Tuesday of home prices sinking further, the Conference Board said its index of consumer confidence fell to its lowest level in two years in October. The index came in at 95.6, below the consensus estimate of 99.5 and down from a revised reading of 99.5 in September.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 77.79, or 0.56 percent, to 13,792.47.

Broader stock indicators were mixed. The S&P 500 index fell 9.96, or 0.65 percent, to 1,531.02, while the Nasdaq composite index fell 0.73, or 0.03 percent, to 2,816.71.

Treasury bond prices were little changed ahead of the Fed decision. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, was at 4.38 percent, flat with late Monday.

The market remains nervous that even if the Fed decreases the target fed funds rate by a quarter-point or half-point, the move may not end up helping the credit and housing markets. It's not the price of borrowing that's deterring investors, many say; demand has waned because of worries about the quality of the underlying assets.

Furthermore, the central bank must walk a narrow line between keeping investors calm and acknowledging the problems out there -- particularly for the banks and brokerages that could see more big losses if portions of the credit market, like asset-backed commercial paper, don't improve.

"Providing the superficial image of stability when everybody realizes things aren't normal just doesn't work," said Axel Merk, manager of the Merk Hard Currency Fund.

Some disappointing financial reports from Procter & Gamble Co. and Qwest Communications International Inc., as well as a management shake-up at Merrill Lynch & Co., gave the market little reason to buy ahead of the Fed meeting.

Merrill Lynch's chairman and chief executive, Stan O'Neal, retired Tuesday as expected after the brokerage last week posted the biggest quarterly loss in its 93-year history. But no replacement was named. Alberto Cribiore, a director since 2003, was named interim non-executive chairman.

Merrill Lynch fell $1.86, or 2.8 percent, to $65.56.

Procter & Gamble was the biggest loser among the 30 Dow components after cautioning that higher commodity costs will squeeze second-quarter margins. P&G fell $2.88, or 4 percent, to $68.95.

Although Qwest reported a third-quarter profit jump, its shares tumbled $1.12, or 13.7 percent, to $7.06. Overall revenue dipped, and the telecommunications company provided few details about its outlook.

The technology-dominated Nasdaq performed better than the other indexes, helped by ongoing strength in such bellwethers as Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Google Inc. Apple rose $1.91 to $187; Microsoft rose $1, or 2.9 percent, to $35.57; and Google rose $15.54, or 2.3 percent, to $694.77.

Crude oil prices retreated $3.15 to settle at $90.13 a barrel, after hitting a record on Monday above $93 a barrel. Gold also fell.

The dollar declined against most other major currencies, except the yen.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers by about 5 to 3 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to a relatively light 1.22 billion shares, the same as Monday.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 5.57, or 0.68 percent, to 816.15.

Overseas, Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.70 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.40 percent, and France's CAC-40 fell 0.55 percent. Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.28 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.16 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
Re: NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:
Source: http://finance.yahoo.com
* the biz.yahoo article link below can be accessed from the finance.yahoo link above under heading "Top Financial News"

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER by +137.54 points +1.00% on Wednesday October 31:
Sym Last........ ........Change..........
Dow 13,930.01 +137.54 +1.00%
-- Day's Range: 13767.68 - 13962.53
-- 52wk Range: 11,926.80 - 14,280.00

Nasdaq 2,859.12 +42.41 +1.51%
-- Day's Range: 2815.67 - 2861.51
-- 52wk Range: 2,316.82 - 2,834.00

S&P 500 1,549.38 +18.36 +1.20%
-- Day's Range: 1529.40 - 1552.76
-- 52wk Range: 1,360.98 - 1,576.09

30-yr Bond 4.7510% +0.0780
-- Day's Range: 4.6790 - 4.7560
-- 52wk Range: 4.525 - 5.408

NYSE Volume 3,898,716,500
Nasdaq Volume 2,574,290,500


Overseas
Overseas markets closed higher ahead of the Fed's decision. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.94 percent, Germany's DAX index added 0.52, and France's CAC-40 gained 0.76 percent.

Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.52 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.90 percent.

Europe
Symbol... Last...... .....Change.......
FTSE 100 6,721.60 +62.60 +0.94%
DAX 8,019.22 +41.28 +0.52%
CAC 40 5,847.95 +44.02 +0.76%


Asia
Symbol..... Last............ .....Change.......
Nikkei 225 16,737.63 +86.62 +0.52%
Hang Seng 31,352.58 -285.64 -0.90%
Straits Times 3,805.70 +7.25 +0.19%

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071031/wall_street.html?.v=47
Stocks Finish Higher After Fed Rate Cut
Wednesday October 31, 4:36 pm ET
By Tim Paradis, AP Business Writer
Stocks Rally As Investors Interpret Fed Decision, Comments on Credit Markets As Upbeat Signs

NEW YORK (AP) -- Wall Street bounded higher Wednesday after the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates as expected and said risks to the financial markets from the summer's credit crisis have eased. The Dow Jones industrial average gained more than 130 points on the day.

Stocks zigzagged in the minutes after the Fed's decision as some observers read comments from the central bank as indicating further rate reductions are less likely. However, investors appeared relieved that the Fed's comments about the inflation -- a perennial concern -- signaled the central bank was able to return to somewhat more parochial worries and focus less about upheaval in the credit markets than when it met last month.

Investors, businesses and consumers alike will be getting cheaper access to cash because of the Fed's quarter-point rate cut, and that likely gave stocks a boost. The fed funds rate now stands at 4.50 percent. Last month, the Fed surprised the market with a larger-than-expected half-point cut in the funds rate.


"A rather stingy Fed suggests that they see an economy that is in pretty good shape," said Bruce McCain, head of the investment strategy team for Key Private Bank.

"They're saying now we can turn back to the issue of inflation and implicit in that is that the economy is getting back on track," he said.

According to preliminary calculations, the Dow, which had dipped briefly into negative territory after the decision, rose 137.54, or 1 percent, to 13,930.01.

Broader stock indicators advanced. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 18.36, or 1.20 percent, to 1,549.38, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 42.41, or 1.51 percent, to 2,859.12.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 11.87, or 1.45 percent, to 828.02.

Treasury bond prices fell after the Fed's decision. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, rose to 4.47 percent from 4.38 percent late Tuesday.

In comments following its two-day meeting on interest rates, central bank policymakers said recent spikes in energy and commodity prices are among the forces that could be adding to inflation pressures and that "the upside risks to inflation roughly balance the downside risks to growth."

The rate cut came after a 9-1 vote, with Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig dissenting, arguing that he preferred no change in the funds rate.

The Fed appeared more upbeat about the health of the economy than it did last month when it said strains in the credit markets threatened to further pinch the housing market and the economy at large.

The Fed said Wednesday that "economic growth was solid in the third quarter, and strains in financial markets have eased somewhat on balance."


Quincy Krosby, chief investment strategist at The Hartford, said the market decided that the central bank wasn't necessarily ruling out further rate cuts.

"I think that the market finally realized after the initial drop-off that the Fed is saying 'Look, we're going to be data-dependent,'" she said. That would be a return to the Fed's mode of operation before the summer's constriction in the credit markets.

She added that after giving investors the 25 basis point cut most had been expecting, prudence demanded that Fed offer a somewhat cautious statement and address concerns about commodity prices. Oil hit another record Wednesday, while gold rose above $800 an ounce.

"I think that upon analysis of it the market understood that you cannot have oil prices hitting almost $95 a barrel. You have to acknowledge commodity prices."

Oil futures climbed to nearly $95 per barrel for the first time after the government reported an unexpected drop in crude oil inventories for the second week in a row. Light, sweet crude rose $4.15 to settle on the New York Mercantile Exchange at $94.53 -- a rise of $10 in a week. Gold prices rose, surpassing $800 for the first time since 1980, while the dollar fell to a fresh low against the euro and gave up ground against other major currencies.

The day's rate cut came after the Commerce Department said the country's gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 3.9 percent in the third quarter, a faster pace than the 3 percent growth economists had forecast on average.

Another Commerce Department report showed construction spending increased 0.3 percent in September, the best showing in four months. Spending on commercial construction and for government projects made up for weakness in home building.

The Chicago purchasing managers index of manufacturing activity in the Midwest showed a decline, falling to 49.7 for October from 54.2 a month earlier. A reading below 50 signals a contraction in activity. The index is seen as a harbinger of the national Institute for Supply Management report, to be released Thursday.

The broad concerns about economic data and the Fed come as companies continue to report their quarterly results.

Auto parts maker Visteon Corp. narrowed its loss in the third quarter as cost-cutting tied to its restructuring effort helped offset lower revenue. Visteon rose 49 cents, or 8.4 percent, to $6.35.

McKesson Corp. jumped $7.55, or 12.9 percent, to $66.10 after the prescription drug distributor turned in better-than-expected quarterly results and raised its full-year forecast.

In other news, Google Inc. crossed $700 for the first time Wednesday as investors grew optimistic that the Internet search leader will continue to boost profits as it pushes into new markets. Google shares, which rose $12.23 to finish at $707, took less than a month to jump from $600 to $700.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 3 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.56 billion shares compared with 1.22 billion shares traded Tuesday.

Overseas markets closed higher ahead of the Fed's decision. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.94 percent, Germany's DAX index added 0.52, and France's CAC-40 gained 0.76 percent. Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.52 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.90 percent.

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com
 
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