DOW JONES

Futures on major U.S. stock indices extended earlier gains on Wednesday after the Department of Labor reported that weekly jobless claims fell sharply last week to the lowest level since July 2008.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to a higher opening on Wednesday ahead of a wave of economic data including durable goods orders and new home sales.

Stocks tumbled on heightened geopolitical tensions in Korea and rising fears about the spread of euro zone debt crisis. Minutes from the last FOMC meeting which revealed disagreements among policymakers over the efficacy of the second round of quantitative easing did not help market sentiment either.

US stocks declined in early trade on Tuesday as a fresh exchange of fire between North Korea and South Korea overshadowed better-than-expected reading on economic activity.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices remained lower on Tuesday despite better-than-expected reading on economic activity as a fresh exchange of fire between North Korea and South Korea weighed on the sentiment.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to lower opening on Tuesday as a fresh exchange of fire between North Korea and South Korea, and concerns over European debt crisis weighed on the sentiment.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to lower opening on Tuesday after North Korea shelled a South Korean island, triggering worries that the lingering tensions between the countries could worsen.

Stocks finished mixed, but bounced back from early lows on worries that Ireland’s debt crisis could spread to other peripheral euro zone nations, follow a request by the Irish government for a multi-billion euro funding bailout.

U.S. stocks finish a volatile week with modest gains on Friday, finishing flat for the week as a whole. In the absence of major economic data in the U.S., investors focused on moves by China to rein in their inflation, while Ireland continues to negotiate a bailout arrangement from the European Union and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

S&P 500 Index slid 5.63 points, or 0.49 percent, to trade at 1,190.71 at 09:50 a.m. EST. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 44.77 points, or 0.40 percent, to trade at 11,136.46. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.44 percent to trade at 2,503.47.

Futures on the S&P 500 lost 3.70 points to 1,194.00, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average are down 31.00 points to 11,145.00 and Nasdaq100 futures are down 5.00 points to 2,129.25.

Stocks surged, buoyed by the successful huge initial public offering of General Motors (NYSE: GM), reports that the Republic of Ireland will receive a bailout to solve its troubled banking system and better-than-expected manufacturing activity data.

S&P 500 Index gained 13.19 points, or 1.18 percent, to trade at 1,192.55 at 09:50 a.m. EDT. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 122.79 points, or 1.12 percent, to trade at 11,130.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 1.29 percent to trade at 2,508.13.

Futures on the S&P 500 gained 11.80 points to 1,189.30, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average are up 87.00 points to 11,082.00 and Nasdaq100 futures are up 25.50 points to 2,122.50.

Stocks finished mixed in choppy trading, after four days of losses, as investors become worried that Ireland will likely receive a huge bailout to clean up its banking system and repay its debt.

S&P 500 Index edged up 0.68 points, or 0.06 percent, to trade at 1,179.73 at 09:53 a.m. EDT. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 8.47 points, or 0.08 percent, to trade at 11,015.03. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.24 percent.

Futures on the S&P 500 gained 3.50 points, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average are up 23 points and Nasdaq100 futures are up 7 points.

Stocks plunged on concerns that Ireland might need a bailout from the European Union/IMF and a slowdown in China may hurt its demand for commodities.

U.S. stocks are sliding on fears over inflation in Asia and the growing likelihood that Ireland’s battered economy may need a cash bailout from the European Union (EU).

S&P 500 Index is down 10.42 points, or 0.85 percent, to trade at 1,187.57 at 09:53 a.m. EDT. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 99.57 points, or 0.89 percent, to trade at 11,102.40. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.72 percent.

Futures on the S&P 500 are down 0.49 percent, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.55 percent and Nasdaq100 futures are down 0.73 percent.