Wall Street eased on Thursday after the Dow posted its best run in nearly three years, but hopes Friday's key jobs report would underscore signs of strength in U.S. economy kept investors engaged.
Apple Inc's newest board member, Walt Disney Co Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger, bought about $1 million worth of the iPhone maker's shares earlier this week, a symbolic gesture of confidence in the prospects of the company.
U.S. stocks are expected to end next year with modest gains, despite the threat of a global downturn brought on by the euro zone debt crisis and a tepid domestic economy that may still need more stimulus, a Reuters poll found.
Stocks were little changed in choppy trade on Thursday after manufacturing data came in stronger than forecast, but gains were capped as investors took a breather from the previous session's powerful rally.
Wall Street stocks were set to drift lower at the open on Thursday as investors took a breather after the S&P 500 posted its best gains since August in a powerful rally.
Stock index futures were little changed on Thursday after the S&P 500 posted its best gains since August in a powerful rally in the previous session.
Stock index futures pointed to a weaker open on Wall Street on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 0.5 percent, Dow Jones futures down 0.4 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 0.2 percent at 4:37 a.m. ET.
Stocks surged on Wednesday after major central banks agreed to make cheaper dollar loans for struggling European banks to prevent the euro-zone debt woes from turning into a full-blown credit crisis.
Stocks surged on Wednesday after major central banks agreed to make cheaper dollar loans for struggling European banks to prevent the euro-zone debt woes from turning into a full-blown credit crisis.
Stocks surged more than 4 percent on Wednesday after major central banks agreed to make cheaper dollar loans for struggling European banks to prevent the euro-zone debt crisis from spiking a credit crunch.
Stocks rose 3 percent on Wednesday as major central banks jointly added liquidity to the world's financial system, easing worries about a global downturn.
Stocks rose 3 percent on Wednesday as major central banks jointly added liquidity to the world's financial system, easing worries about a global downturn.
Stocks surged on Wednesday as major central banks around the world acted jointly to add liquidity to the global financial system, sparking a rally in risk assets such as equities and commodities.
A Chinese tourism company listed in the United States wants investors to pour their money down a dark hole. Literally.
Banks face a double hit to costs and revenues from a spate of credit rating downgrades, another burden for a sector already struggling because of the European Union's failure to deal decisively with its financial crisis.
Stocks were set to gain more than 2 percent at the open on Wednesday as a coordinated action by major central banks to provide liquidity to the global financial system boosted investors' appetite for risky assets.
Stock index futures soared on Wednesday as investors welcomed a coordinated action by major central banks to provide liquidity to the global financial system.
Stock index futures rose on Wednesday after China unexpectedly cut its banks' reserve requirements in hopes of boosting an economy running at its weakest pace since 2009.
Stock index futures pointed to a weaker open for equities on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500, for the Dow Jones and for the Nasdaq 100 down 0.4-0.7 percent.
Standard & Poor's reduced its credit ratings on 15 big banking companies, mostly in the Europe and the United States, on Tuesday as the result of a sweeping overhaul of its ratings criteria.
The Dow and S&P 500 advanced for a second day on Tuesday as stronger-than-expected consumer confidence data and hopes for further progress on a solution to Europe's fiscal mess bolstered sentiment.
The Dow and S&P 500 advanced for a second day on Tuesday as stronger-than-expected consumer confidence data and hopes for further progress on a solution to Europe's fiscal mess bolstered sentiment.
The Dow and S&P 500 advanced for a second day on Tuesday as consumer confidence data was stronger than expected and investors eyed further progress on a solution to Europe's fiscal mess.
Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's could change its outlook on France's AAA rating to negative within days, a French newspaper reported on Monday, adding to fears France may lose its position among the top rank of sovereign borrowers.
The Dow and S&P 500 advanced for a second day on Tuesday as consumer confidence data was stronger than expected and investors eyed further progress on a solution to Europe's fiscal mess.
Stocks mostly rose for a second straight day on Tuesday as a rebound in consumer confidence and soothed fears over Europe whetted investors' appetite for risky assets.
Stocks mostly rose for a second straight day on Tuesday as a rebound in consumer confidence and soothed fears over Europe whetted investors' appetite for risky assets.
Single-family home prices declined in September, highlighting the fragility of a market that is struggling to get back on its feet, a closely watched survey showed on Tuesday.
Wall Street rose for a second straight day on Tuesday as consumer confidence bounced back from a 2-1/2 year low in November, feeding appetite for risky assets.
Stocks opened little changed on Tuesday as a strong rally in the previous session limited upside even as Italian bond yields fell from session highs.
