DOW JONES

Stocks began 2011 with a bang – equities leaped, powered by some strong manufacturing data in the U.S. and Europe and by a generally bullish outlook for the new year.

US stocks advanced in early trade on Monday, the first trading day of 2011, on speculation that the economic recovery will continue after stocks ended with double digit gains in the previous year.

Stocks finish 2010 with a whimper amidst sluggish holiday trading, although equity indices delivered quite a strong year in performance.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to modestly lower opening on Friday, the last trading day of 2010.

Stocks fell modestly, despite some encouraging economic data, as investors likely locked in profits given the market’s nice rise in December.

US stocks modestly lower in early trade on Thursday despite the Department of Labor reported that weekly jobless claims fell sharply last week.

Futures on major U.S. indices point to modestly lower opening on Thursday ahead of key weekly U.S. jobs data and pending home sales report.

Despite a last-hour market sell-off, stocks gained modestly in thin trading volume as the major indices look to be on course for a strong December rally.

US stocks advanced in early trade on Wednesday with S&P 500 Index advanced 1.63 points, or 0.13 percent, to trade at 1,260.14 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 24.86 points, or 0.21 percent, to trade at 11,600. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.10 percent.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to modestly higher opening on Wednesday with futures on the S&P 500 up 0.10 percent, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.10 percent and Nasdaq100 futures up 0.25 percent.

Stocks finished narrowly mixed in very light holiday trading as the bitter cold weather in the eastern U.S. helped to push up energy stocks. Traders seemed to shrug off an unexpected dip in consumer confidence and more bad news on housing prices.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to higher opening on Tuesday ahead of economic data including S&P/CaseShiller house price index.

Stocks finished narrowly mixed in very light trading as a monstrous snow storm on the East Coast likely kept many traders home and a rate hike over the weekend by China dampened some investor sentiment.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to lower opening on Monday after China's central bank raised one-year lending and deposit interest rates for the second time in 2010 on Saturday.

Stocks finish flat on the last trading day prior to the Christmas holiday. A slew of economic data made little impression on investors.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to lower opening on Thursday following weaker-than-expected reports on durable goods orders and consumer spending.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices remained-range bound on Thursday ahead of a wave of economic data including key weekly U.S. jobs data from the government.

Stocks rose moderately higher, given a slight boost by a small upward revision to third-quarter GDP and an uptick in sales of existing homes.

Regional bank stocks are getting a big lift today from the agreement by Hancock Holding Co.’s (Nasdaq: HBHC) to acquire another Gulf Coast bank, Whitney Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: WTNY) in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at almost $1.5 billion.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to flat opening on Wednesday after government data showed that US economic activity grew at a 2.6 percent annual rate in the third quarter.

Stocks rose moderately, boosted by some M&A activity and an easing of hostilities in Korea, with the Dow Jones index reaching a 28-month high and the Nasdaq at a three-year high, albeit in light pre-holiday trading.