The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor's 500 indexes fell on Wednesday after setting new highs a day earlier as the latest earnings report season kicked off with lower profit expectations and news from blue-chip companies raising concern among investors.
The dollar fell on Wednesday as concern crept back into the market that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates again this year to prevent a weak housing sector from damaging the broader economy.
World stocks stretched to record highs on Wednesday, led by emerging markets, while the dollar slipped on reduced hopes of a new U.S. interest rate cut.
Stocks fell on Wednesday as investors worried about the outlook for profits after Alcoa Inc's earnings missed estimates and Chevron Corp joined companies issuing profit warnings.
Stock futures dropped on Wednesday as investors turned cautious about the outlook for profits after Alcoa Inc's earnings missed estimates and International Paper Co. issued a profit warning.
The Dow and S&P 500 jumped to close at records on Tuesday after minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting showed inflation expectations were contained, leaving open the question of whether another rate cut is near.
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), UK retail sales experienced 3% growth this September, a significant increase from the 1.8% growth recorded this August.
Stocks inched higher on Tuesday as investors bet that quarterly earnings reports, which begin later on Tuesday, would beat estimates and brokerages raised price targets on some of the biggest technology stocks.
Institutional investors may be tilting away from risky assets just as equity markets across the world are hitting record highs.
The dollar firmed against the euro on Tuesday as it continued to draw support from a more positive U.S. economic outlook and a growing view the Federal Reserve may not cut interest rates later this month.
Stock futures were little changed on Tuesday with market attention on aluminum company Alcoa, which kicks off the quarterly earnings season.
The dollar rose Monday on investor speculation that the U.S. economy may continue to show signs of strength and escape recession.
Crude Oil Falls More Than $2 as Dollar Rebounds
Blue-chip stocks dipped on Monday as a 2 percent drop in oil prices dragged the energy sector lower and investors locked in profits after Friday's rally.
Worries about a U.S. economic downturn and its fallout across the world eased on Monday, lifting the dollar and Asian stocks although European shares took a breather after a five-session rally.
Stocks were little changed on Monday as caution before the quarterly earnings reporting season offset a boost from falling crude oil prices.
Shares of Web search leader Google Inc. hit a new benchmark of $600 in early trading on Monday, fueled by investor confidence in the strength of its Internet advertising technology. Google shares briefly hit $600 for the first time, a key threshold for the company which priced at $85 per share at its initial public offering in 2004.
Stock futures were little changed on Monday as investors paused after major indexes hit record highs on Friday and before the start of the quarterly earnings reporting season.
Asian stocks outside of Japan hit record highs on Monday, but the dollar headed lower after a solid U.S. jobs report failed to dampen expectations for a further cut in interest rates. European markets were also expected to rise. European stock markets were set to open slightly higher, extending five straight days of gains, but with Japanese markets closed and no major economic data expected out of the United States due to the Columbus Day holiday, trade was expected to be light.
The U.S. federal budget deficit fell to $161 billion in fiscal 2007 from $248 billion the prior year as growth in tax receipts, fueled by capital gains and other non-withheld income, outstripped spending growth, the Congressional Budget Office said on Friday.
The dollar posted the biggest weekly gain against the euro in more than a month on signs the economy is weathering the housing slump.
Treasury debt prices plunged on Friday after a much stronger reading on the labor market suggested the Federal Reserve might not need to cut interest rates later this month.
Stocks barely budged on Thursday as investors shied away from making big bets before Friday's jobs data that could shed light on the economy and the outlook for interest rates.
World stocks held just below this week's record high on Thursday while the euro was steady as investors bet the worst of the credit crisis is over and looked to the European Central Bank chief for clues on monetary policy.
Stocks were little changed on Thursday as investors paused before Friday's key employment report that could shed light on the economy and the outlook for interest rates and corporate profits.
The dollar fell on Thursday, snapping a three-day rally, as dealers anticipated Friday's September U.S. payrolls data may still keep the Federal Reserve on track to cut interest rates later this month.
Shares in Nintendo Co Ltd hit a record high on Wednesday after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of the maker of the Wii game console with a buy rating, while speculation the firm could raise its earnings forecast again gave it an extra boost.
The dollar rose to a one-month high against the yen on Wednesday after economic reports reflected growth in U.S. employment in September, boding well for Friday's non-farm payrolls data.
Stocks declined slightly on Wednesday as a broker's weak outlook on some chip makers weighed on the sector, while data showing continued growth in the services sector helped limit losses.
Global stocks hit a fresh peak for a third straight session on Wednesday as worries about a credit squeeze continued to recede, while the dollar pared recent gains as investors awaited upcoming major U.S. economic data. Caution ahead of U.S. non-manufacturing numbers and retail sales in Europe due later in the day were seen keeping a lid on European markets.
