S&P

U.S. stocks rose on Tuesday as key housing data provided further evidence the U.S. recession was abating.

A pickup in U.S. home sales has kindled hopes for a housing recovery, but plunging prices, rising unemployment and a new wave of foreclosures are clouding prospects for a quick end to the American real estate debacle.

Stocks dropped on Wednesday as rising yields on U.S. government debt fueled concern that businesses and consumers could face higher borrowing costs, which could hamper an economic recovery.

The greenback relinquished gains against the euro and Aussie on the Tuesday session as UK and US markets returned from holiday.

Prices of U.S. homes in March fell a sharp 18.7 percent from a year earlier, though some relief appeared to be in sight as, for the second month, prices did not slide at a record rate as they had been doing since late 2007.

Wall Street may feel more pressure next week unless a raft of economic data, including consumer confidence, home sales and GDP, restores the optimism that had driven a two-month rally before fading in the past few days.

Britain risks losing its precious triple-A credit rating because of the danger that government debt may soar close to 100 percent of GDP, and uncertainty over policy before an election due by next year.

Stocks rose on Wednesday as shares of McDonald's Corp and Procter & Gamble Co advanced on positive broker comments, but profit-taking in financials and the Federal Reserve's cautious comments on the economy kept gains in check.

Stocks rose on Wednesday after a successful share offering from Bank of America boosted optimism about the financial sector, and McDonald's and Procter & Gamble jumped after bullish analyst comments.

U.S. stocks rose on light volume on Monday as a better-than-expected quarterly profit and upbeat outlook from Lowe's Cos Inc , the No. 2 U.S. home improvement retailer, fueled hopes the economic slump was easing and spending was stabilizing.

Investors might have underestimated Wal-Mart Stores Inc's prospects once economic recovery begins, but the retailer's management is buying the stock because it knows it is trading at a bargain, Barron's reported on Sunday.

Stocks rose on Friday as unchanged consumer prices, a slower pace in the decline in industrial output and stronger-than-expected data on consumer sentiment reinforced hopes the recession is easing.

Stocks tumbled on Wednesday as a gloomy retail sales report revived recent anxiety about the economy's struggle and caused a broad sell-off that accelerated late in the session.

Stocks slumped on Wednesday after retail sales data came in worse than expected, hurting shares in the sector including Wal-Mart Stores Inc and blurring the economic outlook.

U.S. stocks retreated on Wednesday after key U.S. retail sales data came in worse than expected, dampening hopes of a quick economic recovery.

Stocks fell on Wednesday after key U.S. retail sales data came in worse than expected, dampening hopes of a quick economic recovery.

The Dow rose on Tuesday as investors scooped up defensive shares, including Pfizer , while energy companies' stocks climbed as oil hit a six-month high.

The Dow rose on Tuesday as investors scooped up defensive shares, including Pfizer , while energy companies' stocks climbed as oil hit a six-month high.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell on Tuesday on profit taking in financials and technology, while a drop in U.S. exports and fresh stock sales by various companies damped investor enthusiasm.

Stocks fell on Tuesday as investors worried there were too few catalysts to sustain the recent rally near term, sending financial and technology shares lower.

Stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 down 1.1 percent, Dow Jones futures down 1 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures down 1.5 percent, as investors were poised to book recent hefty gains.