DOW JONES

U.S. stocks plummeted on a slew of troubling developments, including a surprising trade deficit in China, a downgrade of Spain’s debt, along with fears over the impact on oil price by pervasive unrest in the Middle East and North Africa.

U.S. stocks declined in early trade on Thursday after official data showed that applications for jobless benefits in the U.S. rose more than expected last week, after falling to the lowest level since May 2008 in the previous week.

U.S. stocks ended modestly lower in choppy trading as unfolding events in Libya and their impact on oil prices seem to be the overriding factors to most investors.

U.S. stocks weakened a bit in choppy trading and unfolding events in Libya and their impact on oil prices seem to be the overriding factors to most investors.

U.S. stocks wavered between small gains and losses on Wednesday as oil prices remained near $105 a barrel amid reports of intensified fighting in Libya.

US stocks opened lower in early trade on Wednesday, with S&P 500 Index losing 4.68 points, or 0.35 percent, to trade at 1,317.14 at 09:50 a.m. EST. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 24.71 points, or 0.20 percent, to trade at 12,189.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.61 percent to trade at 2,750.45.

U.S. stocks ended higher on Tuesday, as oil prices eased to below $105 a barrel and financials rallied on upbeat profit forecast from the Bank of America.

U.S. stocks ended higher on Tuesday, as oil prices eased to below $105 a barrel and financials rallied on upbeat profit forecast from Bank of America.

U.S. stocks rallied on the back of strength in financial shares after a drop in oil prices on reports that Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi may be negotiating an exit from the country.

U.S. stocks rallied on the back of strength in financial shares are a drop in oil prices on reports that Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi may be negotiating an exit from the country.

U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as oil prices eased to below $105 a barrel and financials rallied after Bank of America announced plans to increase dividends in the second half of the year.

U.S. stocks advanced on Tuesday as oil prices eased to below $105 a barrel and financials rallied after Bank of America announced plans to increase dividends in the second half of the year.

U.S. stocks ended lower on Monday, led by declines from technology shares after Wells Fargo downgraded the semiconductors sector.

U.S. stocks turned lower on Monday, led by declines from technology and consumer-discretionary companies as oil prices remained near $105-a-barrel amid ongoing political tensions in Libya

U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday as a spike in oil prices (driven by deepening unrest in Libya) overshadowed a strong February jobs report.

U.S. stocks ended lower on Friday as a spike in oil prices (driven by deepening unrest in Libya) overshadowed a strong February jobs report.

U.S. stocks dropped as a spike in oil prices (driven by deepening unrest in Libya) overshadowed a strong February jobs report.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to a higher opening on Friday ahead of key monthly non-farm payrolls and unemployment data from the government.

U.S. stocks ended sharply higher on Thursday as stronger than expected initial jobless claims data and an easing of oil prices after reports of a possible peace deal in Libya buoyed sentiment.

U.S. stocks rallied on Thursday as stronger than expected initial jobless claims data and an easing of oil prices after reports of a possible peace deal in Libya buoyed sentiment.

U.S. stocks rallied in early trade on Thursday as stronger than expected initial jobless claims data and an easing of oil prices after reports of a possible peace deal in Libya buoyed sentiment.