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Why Bad News Makes the Stock Market Happy

For now, bad news is good for the stock market. Investors judged that the latest weak economic reports will make it more likely that the Fed will keep stimulating the economy

Stock Markets Jump as Banks Lead Dow, S&P to New Highs

U.S. stocks rallied to fresh highs on Tuesday as investors picked up large-cap companies' shares on the expectation that central bank stimulus will propel the rally further.

S&P 500 Inches Up for New Record as Stocks Mostly Hold Steady

Bank of America led a rally in big-bank stocks in mostly quiet trading on Monday. Stock indexes ended little changed, though the S&P 500 rose 3 points and set another record.

Stocks Weaken After Manufacturing Growth Slows

Stocks were slipping on Wall Street Monday morning after an industry group reported that U.S. manufacturing growth cooled in March and was weaker than economists had forecast.

S&P 500 Closes at a Record High, Beating '07 Mark

The S&P rose six points to 1,569, a gain of 0.4 percent, beating its previous record by four points. The index is still shy of its all-time trading high of 1,576.

U.S. Stocks Keep Rising as S&P 500 Nears Record High

Encouraging news from the job market pushed the stock market up early Thursday, putting the Standard & Poor's 500 index near its all-time high. The S&P 500 rose seven points to 1,561 -- just four points away from the high it hit in October 2007 -- before retreating marginally after 10 a.m.

5 Moves to Make Before the Stock Market Rally Ends

With the Dow Jones industrial average soaring to new all-time highs, investors are enjoying the new-found prosperity reflected in their brokerage statements. But it you want to keep those paper profits, now's the time to start making some tough decisions.

5 Things to Watch on Wall Street This Week

From Costco checking in with its latest financials to a highly anticipated video game that could breathe life into the moribund gaming industry, there will be plenty of news breaking in the coming days. Here are some of the items that will shape the week ahead on Wall Street.

Dow Closes at New All-Time High of 14,253, Beating 2007 Record

The Dow is closing at a record, beating the previous high it set in October 2007, before the financial crisis and the Great Recession. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 126 points, or 1 percent, to 14,253 Tuesday, beating its previous record by 89 points.

S&P 500 Has Biggest Decline of 2013 After Fed Minutes Released

Stocks are closing lower on Wall Street following news that several top Federal Reserve officials are doubtful about continuing the central bank's economic stimulus. The S&P 500 index had its biggest loss of the year.

Stocks Edge Higher After Positive Trade Deficit Report

Stocks are edging higher in early trading on Wall Street after a report showed that the U.S. trade deficit narrowed sharply in December, to $38.6 billion -- the smallest it's been in nearly three years.

Stocks Inch Lower; S&P 500 Slips From 5-Year High

Stocks edged lower on Wall Street Friday, pulling the Standard & Poor's 500 index below a five-year high reached the day before. The S&P 500 fell two points to 1,470 as of noon Eastern. It closed at 1,472 Thursday, its highest level since December 2007. The Dow Jones industrial average fell a point to 13,469. The Nasdaq composite index dropped three points to 3,119.

U.S. Stock Prices Dip Ahead of Earnings Season Kickoff

U.S. stocks fell Tuesday as traders awaited the start of the corporate earnings season. Market-watchers expect the quarter's results could include many surprises because of events like Superstorm Sandy, the presidential election, and the narrowly avoided "fiscal cliff."

What to Watch on Wall Street This Week: Gorilla Glass and Grocers

From new small gadgetry too old banking behemoths, there will be plenty of news waiting to break in the coming days. Let's go over some of the items that will help shape the week that lies ahead on Wall Street.

Fiscal Cliff Tax Worries May Drive Stock Sell-Off

Investors typically sell stocks to cut their losses at year end. But worries about the "fiscal cliff" -- and the possibility of higher taxes in 2013 -- may act as the greatest incentive to sell both winners and losers by Dec. 31.

Election Day 2012: Stocks Rise as Investors Wait for a Winner

Major stock-market indexes climbed Tuesday as investors waited for the finish of a closely fought U.S. presidential election.

Stocks Rise as Investors Wait for a Presidential Winner

Major stock-market indexes climbed Tuesday as investors waited for the finish of a closely fought U.S. presidential election. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 146 points at 13,259 just before 1 p.m. EST.

S&P Touches Highest Level Since 2008, Then Falls

The Standard & Poor's 500 index is closing lower after hitting a four-year high. The S&P 500 lost five points to close at 1,413. The index had climbed to 1,426 in morning trading, its highest since May 19, 2008.

Stock Market Cuts Its Losses with a Late Rally

A late recovery on Wall Street wiped out most of the stock market's losses Thursday, leaving the Dow Jones industrial average down just 25 points. The Dow had been down as much as 177 points but came back sharply at the end of the day.

U.S. Stock Futures Head Higher as Economists See Growth Ahead

Stock futures are rising with a new survey suggesting that economists are a bit more optimistic about housing and employment. The National Association for Business Economists' forecasters expect modest growth for the rest of 2012, with the pace picking up in 2013.