dow

Stocks closed broadly higher Wednesday after Portugal's government had no trouble in tapping global debt markets, helping ease European debt fears. The euro gained at the dollar's expense, which lifted a broad basket of commodities as well as U.S. equities.

After putting up solid gains this year, the case for the stock market in 2011 is more of the same. And when the Fed finally raises short-term rates, one pro says, the smart traders will be those who jump on the opportunity to do some serious bargain-hunting. [Video]

Stocks are closing out 2010 with a double-digit bang. Veteran NYSE trader Teddy Weisberg says those gains coming amid gut-wrenching volatility should be no surprise, and he points to three important lessons from the market's behavior that will help guide investors in 2011. [Video]

Improving economic conditions, strong corporate profits and the Fed's easy money have some money managers bullish on equities going into 2011. Plus, companies are staring to deploy their cash hoards on M&A, dividends and share buybacks. [Video]

Stocks closed modestly mixed on light volume Friday in the last full trading week of the year, which marked the third week in a row of overall gains. While drugmakers Pfizer and Merck put a damper on the Dow, robust earnings from Oracle and Research In Motion helped lift tech stocks.

The Dow tumbled Tuesday as part of a global sell-off in stocks fueled by further speculation that China will hike interest rates to fight inflation and renewed worries over the wobbly finances of Ireland, Portugal and Greece.

Solid quarterly earnings and anticipation of more stimulus from the Fed have helped lift the Dow by 400 points over the past two weeks. However, another boost is coming from individuals who've begun moving money from bonds to equities.

Stocks closed mixed Friday as another round of solid third-quarter earnings reports was checked by rising anxiety about the dollar. Despite the uncertainty, stocks pulled off their third straight week of gains.

Stocks rose Friday and the Dow crossed the 11,000 level for the first time since early May. September's dismal jobs reports raised traders' expectations for another round of monetary easing from the Federal Reserve.

The aluminum giant matched Wall Street's profit expectations and exceeded the revenue estimates. Company execs say they see demand picking up as the year progresses. Alcoa shares jumped in after-hours trading.