Friday, December 07, 2007
U.S. stocks end flat, but score weekly gains of nearly 2%
U.S. stocks end flat, but score weekly gains of nearly 2%
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks finished near the flat line on Friday, but managed to pocket
weekly gains of nearly 2%, as investors remained hesitant to make large
moves before next week's policy-setting meeting by the Federal Reserve.
Analysts say Fed will cut despite jobs data, but it'll be close
WASHINGTON
The Federal Reserve will cut rates by a quarter-percentage point when
they meet in four days despite no clear signal of weakness from the
November jobs report, analysts said Friday.
Markets Friday, 12/7/2007
| Dow : 13625.58 up 5.69
| S & P : 1504.66 down 2.68
| NASDAQ: 2706.16 down 2.87
| Bond (10Y): 4.10%, 101.16
MARKETS:
Stocks volatile ahead of Fed
Wall Street struggled Friday as investors welcomed strong payrolls
growth but showed caution ahead of next week's expected interest rate
cut.
Stocks close out the week mixed after mostly upbeat jobs report. Investors gear up for Tuesday's Fed meeting.
Stocks close out the week mixed after mostly upbeat jobs report.
Investors gear up for Tuesday's Fed meeting.
Employers add 94,000 jobs in November, more than expected. Unemployment 4.7 percent, unchanged from October.
Employers add 94,000 jobs in November, more than expected. Unemployment
4.7 percent, unchanged from October.
U.S. stocks reverse course amid mixed economic signals
U.S. stocks reverse course amid mixed economic signals
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks on Friday turned mixed as some investors resorted to
profit-taking after a two-day rise and others digested diverse data,
including slight payrolls growth in November and a drop in consumer
sentiment in December.
Analysts say Fed will cut despite jobs data, but it'll be close
WASHINGTON
The Federal Reserve will cut rates by a quarter-percentage point when
they meet in four days despite no clear signal of weakness from the
November jobs report, analysts said Friday.
Economic Report: U.S. labor market stronger than expected in November
WASHINGTON
The U.S. labor market was slightly stronger than expected in November,
the government said Friday, a factor that's likely to weigh on the
Federal Reserve's decision next week on whether to cut interest rates.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
MarketsThursday, 12/6/2007
| Dow : 13619.89 up 174.93
| S & P : 1507.34 up 22.33
| NASDAQ: 2709.03 up 42.67
| Bond (10Y): 4.00%, 101.97
MARKETS:
Stocks surge, day 2
Markets jump for a second session on bets that Fed will cut rates next
week. Wall Street keeps close eye on homeowner rescue plan. Oil prices
spike.
U.S. stocks close with second day of gains on subprime plan
U.S. stocks close with second day of gains on subprime plan
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks on Thursday extended gains for a second day after the White
House offered its plan to curb home foreclosures, bolstering financial
shares battered for months by the subprime mortgage crisis and related
credit crunch.
MarketWatch First Take: Mortgage plan only a small first step
WASHINGTON
The government and the mortgage industry finally understand that the
economy needs some strong medicine to purge itself of the toxic
mortgages written over the past five years.
Bush, Paulson unveil plan to aid troubled borrowers
WASHINGTON
The mortgage industry has agreed on a plan to help some struggling
borrowers keep their homes, Bush administration officials said
Thursday.
Technology spending to slow in 2008: report
SAN FRANCISCO
Worldwide spending on information technology will grow at a slower rate
in 2008 due to "economic uncertainties," according to a report released
Thursday by the International Data Corp.
Retailers post mixed November sales
NEW YORK
U.S. retailers posted mixed November sales results, with scarcity of
must-have fashion items and no shortage of macroeconomic concerns
battering many U.S. apparel retailers, while value-seeking shoppers and
a calendar shift aided wholesale clubs and department stores.
Fed fever sends stocks higher as investors bet on another rate cut next week. Dow climbs about 180 points.
Fed fever sends stocks higher as investors bet on another rate cut next
week. Dow climbs about 180 points.
Bush announces plan to freeze mortgage rates for five years, give lenders more flexibility in modifying loans.
Bush announces plan to freeze mortgage rates for five years, give
lenders more flexibility in modifying loans.
Bankers' group: Mortgage delinquencies at highest point in more than 20 years, Dow Jones reports.
Bankers' group: Mortgage delinquencies at highest point in more than 20
years, Dow Jones reports.
Wal-Mart sales at stores open more than a year up 1.5%, at higher end of expectations.
Wal-Mart sales at stores open more than a year up 1.5%, at higher end of
expectations.
U.S. stocks rise as financials offset Target's lowered outlook
U.S. stocks rise as financials offset Target's lowered outlook
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks on Thursday stepped tentatively higher, led by financial
shares as the market awaited the White House's plan to curb home
foreclosures, while some downward pressure came from mixed retail sales
results.
Retailers post mixed November sales
NEW YORK
U.S. retailers posted mixed November sales results, with lack of
must-have fashion items and no shortage of macroeconomic concerns
battering most U.S. apparel retailers while value-seeking shoppers and a
calendar shift aided wholesale clubs and department stores.
Subprime Today: Bush to unveil aid to homeowners, RBS takes write-down
President Bush is set to announce a plan to help struggling homeowners
avoid losing their properties, including a temporary freeze on low,
introductory mortgage-interest rates that would otherwise jump higher in
the next few years. The plan, expected to be announced today, seeks to
combat a rising tide of foreclosures by making it easier for lenders to
freeze the "starter" interest rate for certain borrowers for five years,
according to a document being circulated by the Treasury Department.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
FDA advisory panel votes against approving Genentech's drug Avastin for breast cancer patients, AP reports.
FDA advisory panel votes against approving Genentech's drug Avastin for
breast cancer patients, AP reports.
Markets Wednesday, 12/5/2007
| Dow : 13444.96 up 196.23
| S & P : 1485.01 up 22.22
| NASDAQ: 2666.36 up 46.53
| Bond (10Y): 3.94%, 102.44
MARKETS:
Fed hopes boost stocks
Wall Street surges on expectations that the central bank could lower
borrowing rates by as much as a half-point when it meets next week.
U.S. stocks end higher after late-session extension to rally
U.S. stocks end higher after late-session extension to rally
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks on Wednesday leaped ahead for the first time this month,
with technology shares fronting the advance, after data cast a more
optimistic light on the U.S. economy, while leaving intact hopes of
another interest-rate cut next week.
FDA panel rejects Genentech's Avastin for breast cancer: WSJ
BOSTON
An advisory panel of the Food and Drug Administration has narrowly voted
not to recommend the agency approve Genentech Inc.'s oncology drug
Avastin for the treatment of advanced breast cancer, the Wall Street
Journal reported Wednesday afternoon.
Clinton tells Wall St. to back mortgage-reform plan
WASHINGTON
Wall Street shares the blame for the subprime mortgage crisis and should
get behind voluntary proposals to shield working families from a rising
tide of foreclosures or face the prospect of a legislative crackdown,
Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton said
Wednesday.
Economic Report: Productivity revised to 6.3%, best in four years
WASHINGTON
Fast growth in the third quarter translated to the strongest
productivity gains in four years, the Labor Department reported
Wednesday.
White replaces silver as most popular car paint color
SAN FRANCISCO
Green may be symbolic of the environmental push toward low-emission,
fuel-sipping vehicles, but drivers choose lemon over lime when it comes
to the color of their car, according to a recent study from DuPont.
News Alert! Bush Reaches Subprime Mortgages Deal
Congressional aides say the Bush administration has hammered out an
industry agreement to freeze interest rates for certain subprime
mortgages for five years.
U.S. stocks cheered by bullish economic data
U.S. stocks cheered by bullish economic data
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks on Wednesday leaped ahead for the first time this month
after early data cast a more positive light on the U.S. economy before
Friday's payrolls report, while leaving intact hopes of another
interest-rate cut next week.
Futures Movers: Oil rises after OPEC keeps output steady, U.S.
inventories drop
SAN FRANCISCO
Crude-oil futures rose on Wednesday to trade near $90 a barrel after the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries opted to keep production
unchanged and crude inventories in the U.S. dropped to the lowest in
nearly two years.
Economic Report: U.S. gained 189,000 jobs in November, ADP says
WASHINGTON
U.S. private-sector employment rose by 189,000 in November, according to
the ADP employment report released Wednesday.
Northern Rock reportedly faces nationalization by February
LONDON
Northern Rock could be nationalized as early as February if the
beleaguered mortgage lender can't secure a private buyer or rescue
package, according to a published report Wednesday.
Economic Report: Productivity revised to 6.3%, best in four years
WASHINGTON
Fast growth in the third quarter translated to the strongest
productivity gains in four years, the Labor Department reported
Wednesday.
Dow industrials rise 120 points, or 0.9%, in opening trades; Nasdaq up 1.2%
Productivity revised to 6.3%, best in four years
Oil rises sharply after OPEC keeps output unchanged
China credit slowdown is overstated, analysts say
Dow industrials rise 120 points, or 0.9%, in opening trades; Nasdaq up
1.2%
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Growth risks emerge front and center since last Fed meeting
Growth risks emerge front and center since last Fed meeting
WASHINGTON
In the end, it wasn't really much of a contest.
Southwest, Delta, Continental clip plans for flight offerings
SAN FRANCISCO
Southwest Airlines Co., Delta Air Lines Inc. and Continental Airlines
Inc. said that they are scaling back plans to add more flights and
available seats next year, the latest move by airlines to counter oil
prices near $90 a barrel.
H&R Block, Cerberus scuttle deal for Option One mortgage unit
BOSTON
H&R Block Inc. said Tuesday that it has agreed to scuttle the proposed
sale of its Option One Mortgage Corp. unit to Cerberus Capital
Management in the latest sign of trouble in the subprime-mortgage
market.
Therese Poletti's Tech Tales: Tech firms returning to IPOs, but this
time things are different
SAN FRANCISCO
Possibly inspired by the strong performance last quarter of VMware's
debut, technology startups are considering going public once again.
Markets Tuesday, 12/4/2007
| Dow : 13248.73 down 65.84
| S & P : 1462.79 down 9.63
| NASDAQ: 2619.83 down 17.30
|Bond (10Y): 3.89%, 102.88
MARKETS:
Weak day on Wall Street
Stocks slide as investors mull financial sector profits and gear up for
Nov. jobs report, Fed policy meeting.
Stocks fell for a second day as jittery investors focus on battered financial stocks; look ahead to Friday's jobs report.
Stocks fell for a second day as jittery investors focus on battered
financial stocks; look ahead to Friday's jobs report.
U.S. stocks drop for second day on financial woes
U.S. stocks drop for second day on financial woes
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks continued to head lower on Tuesday, as a spate of downgrades
for financial firms fueled concerns about the credit-market crisis,
while updates from Nokia Corp. and Merck & Co. Inc. disappointed.
H&R Block, Cerberus scuttle deal for Option One mortgage unit
BOSTON
H&R Block Inc. said Tuesday that it has agreed to scuttle the proposed
sale of its Option One Mortgage Corp. unit to Cerberus Capital
Management in the latest sign of trouble in the subprime-mortgage
market.
Nokia shares fall; upgraded margin goal deemed conservative
LONDON
Nokia Corp., the world's largest maker of mobile phones, unveiled its
financial targets for the next two years at its annual investor day
Tuesday, raising its operating margin forecasts and stressing it aims to
gain market share in mobile devices.
Merck backs 2007 view, sees 2008 growth
NEW YORK
Merck & Co. backed its 2007 profit forecast on Tuesday and said it sees
growth in 2008 from its cervical cancer vaccine, diabetes treatments and
HIV medications.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Markets Monday, 12/3/2007
| Dow : 13314.57 down 57.15
| S & P : 1472.42 down 8.72
| NASDAQ: 2637.13 down 23.83
| Bond (10Y): 3.85%, 103.25
MARKETS:
Tough day on Wall Street
Stocks slide as investors welcome Paulson's comments, but remain wary
about housing crisis, GM's November sales.
U.S. stocks end lower as economic worries persist
U.S. stocks end lower as economic worries persist
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks declined Monday for the first time in five sessions amid
ongoing worries about the direction of the economy after a gauge of
manufacturing activity fell slightly and the government vowed to help
some subprime-mortgage holders.
Economic Report: U.S. factory index sees fifth straight drop in
November
WASHINGTON
A key gauge of strength for the U.S. factory sector slipped in November
for the fifth straight month, the Institute for Supply Management
reported Monday.
Paulson 'optimistic' about subprime 'answer'
WASHINGTONTreasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Monday he's confident
that a plan to help borrowers of subprime mortgages will be agreed upon
soon.
Stocks slide as investors remain wary about housing crisis, despite reasurring statements by Treasury Secretary Paulson.
Stocks slide as investors remain wary about housing crisis, despite
reasurring statements by Treasury Secretary Paulson.
Paulson: U.S. "aggressively purusing" relief for struggling subprime mortgage holders.
Paulson: U.S. "aggressively purusing" relief for struggling subprime
mortgage holders.
Purchasing managers' manufacturing index slips slightly in November, Dow Jones reports; index above forecasts.
Purchasing managers' manufacturing index slips slightly in November, Dow
Jones reports; index above forecasts.
Stocks mixed after Paulson says subprime plan in the works
Stocks mixed after Paulson says subprime plan in the works
NEW YORK
U.S. stocks pared losses on Monday after the government said it is
working on a plan to help subprime mortgage holders and as a gauge of
manufacturing activity fell slightly amid ongoing concern about the
direction of the economy.
Detroit automakers set to hand in November sales declines
SAN FRANCISCO
General Motors Corp. is expected to see its three-month winning streak
come to an end Monday when the Detroit giant details just how much the
housing crunch and lofty gas prices have hurt its customer base.
Vivendi bolsters gaming position with Activision deal
LONDON
The video-game giant forged by the tie-up of Vivendi's game unit with
Activision Inc. will be home to best-selling titles "Guitar Hero" and
"World of Warcraft" and could have enough scale to challenge current
leader Electronics Arts Inc.
Asia Markets: Tokyo wobbles; U.S. rate-cut hopes boost Hong Kong
HONG KONG
Asian markets ended mixed in range-bound trading Monday, with Japan's
Nikkei 225 slipping into the red as weaker capital-spending data
pressured industrial shares such as robot-maker Fanuc Ltd.
