EQUITIES

The Dow and the S&P 500 fell on Friday as a jump in the savings rate indicated that the debt-burdened consumer may not drive the economy out of recession as fast as hoped, and a slide in crude futures prompted investors to sell some energy shares.

The Dow and the S&P 500 fell on Friday as a jump in the savings rate raised worries the economic recovery will not make much headway if consumers stay frugal, and a slide in crude futures prompted investors to sell some energy shares.

U.S. stocks faltered on Friday as weak oil futures pressured energy shares and a jump in the savings rate raised worries the economic recovery will not make much headway if consumers continue to be frugal.

Wall Street looked set for a weak open on Friday with investors ready to take profits after stocks gained more than 2 percent in the previous session.

KB Home , the No. 5 U.S. homebuilder, posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss on Friday and reported a year-over-year decline in orders, sending its shares down nearly 8 percent.

U.S. stocks faltered on Friday as investors booked profits and energy shares pulled back alongside oil prices.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a weak open on Friday with investors set to take profits after a gain of more than 2 percent in the previous session.

(Corrects in 2nd paragraph to say 15 orders were canceled, not 30)

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.2 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.2 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.1 percent at 5:37 a.m. EDT.

Stocks rallied on Thursday as investors were relieved Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke withstood a barrage of pointed questions from Congress on the Bank of America-Merrill Lynch deal relatively unscathed.

Stocks rallied on Thursday as investors were relieved that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke withstood congressional questioning without problems.

A bipartisan panel armed with subpoena power to investigate causes of the Wall Street meltdown is on the brink of being launched, as Congress embarks on an ambitious effort to reform policing of the financial sector.

A bipartisan panel armed with subpoena power to investigate causes of the Wall Street meltdown is on the brink of being launched, as Congress embarks on an ambitious effort to reform policing of the financial sector.

Stocks rose sharply on Thursday, helped by consumer discretionary shares after Bed Bath & Beyond Inc posted a surprising profit increase and home builder Lennar Corp reported a rise in new home sales.

Stocks rose sharply on Thursday after the latest Treasury auction garnered strong demand, pressuring bond yields, while consumer discretionary shares gained.

U.S. stocks rallied on Thursday on investors' relief that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was weathering a tough grilling in Congress relatively well.

Stocks rose on Thursday as investors held out hope the economic deterioration was receding and positive news boosted consumer and home builder shares.

Stocks rose on Thursday as investors held out hope the economic deterioration was receding, boosting the consumer, technology and home builder sectors.

Stocks rose on Thursday, reversing early losses, as gains in consumer shares offset jitters about an economic recovery after data showed more workers filed new jobless claims.

Wall Street was set for a weak open on Thursday after the number of workers filing new jobless claims rose unexpectedly, as jitters continued to nag that an economic recovery could be tepid.

Stock index futures fell on Thursday after government data showed the number of workers filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week.

Stock index futures pointed to a flat open on Thursday ahead of key data on jobless claims and economic growth.

World stocks slipped on Thursday after the Federal Reserve cautioned that the U.S. economy would remain weak for a time, adding to concerns about the sustainability of a recent recovery.

Asian stocks rallied for a second day on Thursday after the Federal Reserve reinforced that interest rates will be kept at a record low for a while, but Treasuries extended losses as the Fed shied away from boosting debt purchases.

Asian stocks rallied for a second day on Thursday after the Federal Reserve reinforced that interest rates will be kept at a record low for a while, but Treasuries extended losses as the Fed shied away from boosting its debt purchases.

The Dow fell for the fourth day and other indexes ended well off the day's highs on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve reiterated concerns about the economic outlook at the end of its policy meeting.

The Dow fell for the fourth day and other indexes ended well off the day's highs on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve reiterated concerns about the economic outlook at the end of its policy meeting.

The Dow industrial average fell for the fourth straight day on Wednesday, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained although well off their session highs, after the U.S. Federal Reserve reiterated concerns about the economic outlook.

The Dow industrials turned negative and the broader market pared gains on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve said the economy would remain weak for a time, denting optimism about the strength of a rebound.