US Business

Reassurance from official pushes stocks higher

Reassuring comments from a Federal Reserve official and better earnings from two big retailers helped push the stock market higher Tuesday.

By By Matthew Craft, Associated Press , May 22, 2013

Big lottery jackpot inspires office pools

In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers. And besides, who wants to be the only person at work the next day when everyone quits?

By By Barbara Rodriguez, Associated Press , May 18, 2013

Stocks rise on hopeful signs for the U.S. economy

Encouraging news about the U.S. economy extended the stock market’s rally Friday. Small-company stocks rose the most, a sign that investors are taking on more risk. Two companies soared in their stock-market debuts in the latest indication that the market for initial public offerings is reviving. A gauge of future economic activity rose more than analysts had expected, as did a measure of consumer confidence, adding to evidence that the economy is steadily recovering.

By By Steve Rothwell, Associated Press , May 18, 2013

Stocks finish down

Signs of a slowing economy combined with comments from a Federal Reserve official helped pull the stock market down Thursday. There was plenty of discouraging news. Applications for unemployment benefits rose last week and manufacturing slowed in the mid-Atlantic region. Wal-Mart sank after warning that its customers were spending less at its stores.

By By Matthew Craft, Associated Press , May 17, 2013

Stocks climb amid reports

Investors nudged the stock market to all-time highs Wednesday despite a handful of disappointing economic reports. Google’s stock topped $900 for the first time after the company announced new versions of its prodcuts, and Macy’s rose after beating Wall Street’s profit estimates.

By By Matthew Craft, Associated Press , May 16, 2013

Stocks rise back into record territory

The stock market marched back into record territory Tuesday as investors seized on the latest encouraging news about the economy. This time, it was a report on the health of small businesses.

By By Steve Rothwell, Associated Press , May 15, 2013

Stock market rally pauses

A record-breaking rally in stocks paused Monday as investors assessed whether the rise in stock valuations overstated the recent improvement in the economy.

By By Steve Rothwell, Associated Press , May 14, 2013

Stocks rise for third week in a row

Small was beautiful this week. The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 15,000 for the first time on Tuesday, then held above that milestone for the next three days. But an index of small-company stocks has been putting the blue-chip gauge to shame. On Friday, the Russell 2000 closed the week up 2.2 percent, more than double the Dow’s gain.

By By Bernard Condon, Associated Press , May 11, 2013

Stocks pull back from record levels

The stock market pulled back from record levels Thursday as investors became harder to please.

By By Steve Rothwell, Associated Press , May 10, 2013

Dow average gains

The Dow Jones industrial average rose, closing above 15,000 for a second day after breaching the landmark level for the first time Tuesday. On Wednesday, a day without any major economic releases, investors focused on company earnings as reporting for the first quarter draws to a close. Although earnings growth has slowed from last quarter, profits are at record levels and projected to rise throughout the year.

By By Steve Rothwell, Associated Press , May 09, 2013

Dow Jones

The Dow Jones industrial average punched through another milestone Tuesday, closing above 15,000 for the first time just two months after recovering the last of its losses from the 2008 financial crisis. Good economic reports, strong corporate earnings and fresh support from central banks helped ease investor concerns about another economic slowdown. Many had been on the lookout for signs that a spring swoon would derail the rally, as happened in each of the past three years.

By By Matthew Craft, Associated Press , May 08, 2013

S&P 500 ekes out gain

Bank of America led a rally in big-bank stocks in mostly quiet trading on Monday. Stock indexes ended little changed following a record-setting run last week.

By By Matthew Craft , Associated Press , May 07, 2013

Solid April job gains ease fears about economy

The U.S. economy showed in April that it’s healthier than many had feared, adding a solid 165,000 jobs and driving the unemployment rate down a notch to a four-year low of 7.5 percent.

By By Christopher S. Rugaber, Associated Press , May 04, 2013

Stocks surge to new highs after hiring climbs

Two of the most widely watched stock-market indexes marched past milestones Friday after a surprisingly good jobs report gave investors a clear sign of the U.S. economy’s strength.

By By Bernard Condon, Associated Press , May 04, 2013

Stocks gain after signs of increased employment

The stock market is all about jobs this week. Stocks rose Thursday after unemployment claims fell to a five-year low. A day earlier it was just the opposite; the market slumped after companies added just 119,000 jobs in April, the fewest in seven months, according to payroll processor ADP. And stocks could swing again Friday when the government’s closely watched monthly employment report is released.

By By Steve Rothwell, Associated Press , May 03, 2013