Morgan Stanley, UnitedHealth Group and others sank in Thursday trading after turning in their quarterly financial results. Earnings and revenue dropped at Morgan Stanley as the bank made less money from trading bonds and commodities, a common theme for many investment banks this earnings season. Morgan Stanley lost 4 percent to $20.59.

15. US Treasury chief urges EU to ease off austerity - Friday, April 05, 2013

BRUSSELS (AP) — European countries should ease off their austerity and adopt more growth-friendly policies, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said Monday as he kicked off a series of meetings with the region's top leaders.

16. Kafka the bureaucrat able to ‘keep the keyhole clean’ - Friday, April 05, 2013

I met the word “mitteleuropaish” for the first time in a Paul Greenberg column.

Greenberg, winner of the 1969 Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing at the Pine Bluff Commercial, was discussing a recently released book, Kafka: The Office Writings. “A combination attorney, actuary and all-around bureaucrat,” he wrote. “[Kafka] seems to have carried out his duties with a combination of mitteleuropaisch flair and German efficiency.”

17. Weak economic reports send stock market lower - Friday, March 29, 2013

LONDON (AP) — Japanese stocks outperformed all others Wednesday as investors anticipated aggressive policy action from the Bank of Japan.

The country's central bank started its first policy meeting under a new governor committed to aggressive monetary action to end years of economic malaise. There are expectations that the bank will announce a big monetary stimulus at the end of its meeting on Thursday.

18. US stocks fall on broad concern about Europe - Friday, March 22, 2013

Stocks reversed an early rise on Wall Street Monday as traders returned to worrying about the European economy.

Optimism about a deal to prevent financial collapse in Cyprus had briefly pushed the Standard & Poor's 500 index to within a quarter-point of its record closing high, but stocks soon turned negative.

19. Oil hits 5-week high on Cyprus financial bailout - Friday, March 22, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil rose to a five-week high after Europe patched up the latest problem in its yearslong financial crisis.

Benchmark crude for May delivery rose $1.10 to finish at $94.81 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That's the highest New York closing since Feb. 20.

20. Weak Oracle sales, Cyprus fears weigh on US shares - Friday, March 15, 2013

Stocks fell on Wall Street Thursday as Oracle's weak sales results weighed down big U.S. technology companies. Traders worried about Cyprus running out of time to avoid bankruptcy.

Major indexes followed European markets lower at the open. The Dow Jones industrial average fell as much as 98 points. By mid-day they had pared the losses. Shortly before noon eastern time, the Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor's 500 index were down about 0.3 percent. The Nasdaq composite index, which is heavily weighted toward tech shares, declined more than 0.6 percent.

21. Wall Street holds its own after Cyprus 'no' vote - Friday, March 15, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest twists in Europe's debt drama weighed down the stock market Tuesday, offsetting more good news on the U.S. housing market.

The Dow Jones industrial average managed a gain of just four points, while other indexes closed slightly lower. Investors were focused on Cyprus, where the Mediterranean country's lawmakers voted against a proposed bailout plan for banks that would have called for raiding the savings accounts of ordinary citizens, setting a new precedent in Europe's ongoing debt crisis.

22. Stocks falter following Cyprus's bailout plan - Friday, March 15, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks have closed lower on Wall Street as investors worried that a controversial proposal to seize money from depositors in Cyprus could set off another bout of anxiety over Europe's shared currency.

23. Stocks grind higher, pushing Dow toward record - Friday, March 01, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Investors brushed off early jitters about a potential slowdown in China and pushed the Dow to its highest close of the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 38.16 points, or 0.3 percent, to 14,127.82. The index is a fraction of a percentage point away from its record close of 14,164, reached on Oct. 9, 2007.

24. Oil ends lower on Italy elections, crude supplies - Friday, February 22, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil was lower Tuesday as investors weighed the implications of political uncertainty in Italy, the latest assessment of the economy from the head of the Federal Reserve and prospects for growing US crude supplies.

25. Stocks drop as Italy heads for political disarray - Friday, February 22, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks had their worst drop in more than three months as the prospect of political paralysis in Italy raised the specter of Europe's debt crisis flaring up again.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 216.40 points, or 1.6 percent, to 13,784.17, its biggest drop since Nov. 7.

26. EU says eurozone economy to shrink again in 2013 - Friday, February 22, 2013

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union predicted Friday that the economy of the 17 member countries that use the euro will shrink again in 2013 even though it will see its fortunes improve in the second half of the year.

27. Europe stocks mixed, Japan's Nikkei rises on yen - Friday, February 15, 2013

PARIS (AP) — After starting the day in negative territory, Europe's main indexes were mixed around midday as investors cautiously contemplated a further fall in value for the Japanese yen — which sent the benchmark Nikkei index surging more than 2 percent.

28. Oil hovers beneath $96 on US, Europe growth fears - Friday, February 15, 2013

The price of oil hovered below $96 a barrel Monday, weighed by data released late last week which showed that U.S. industrial production weakened and Europe remained mired in recession.

By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for March delivery was down 17 cents to $95.69 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell $1.45 on Friday.

29. VW reports 17.4 pct increase in January sales - Friday, February 08, 2013

BERLIN (AP) — Germany's Volkswagen AG says it started off the year with brisk car sales, as deliveries outside Europe — particularly in China — helped more than offset declines in its home market.

Europe's largest automaker said Tuesday overall January sales were up 17.4 percent to 491,900 from 419,100 in January 2012.

30. S&P 500 hits five-year high, extends rally - Friday, February 08, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — The Standard and Poor's 500 edged up to a five-year high Friday, extending a rally that started in January.

The S&P 500 rose 8.54 points to 1,517.93, closing 0.3 percent up for the week. The index is at its highest since November 2007 and has advanced for six weeks, the longest streak of gains since August.

31. Stocks retreat as weak earnings provide no joy - Friday, February 01, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slumped on Wall Street Thursday, suggesting that the rally which has pushed indexes close to record levels may have run its course.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 46 points to 13,942, having earlier slid as much as 134 points. The index has traded largely sideways this week, after logging its best January in almost two decades.

32. Oil prices fall on ECB chief's comments on euro - Friday, February 01, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil fell below $96 per barrel Thursday after the head of the European Central Bank expressed concern over a recent rise in the euro.

The euro was down against the dollar, to $1.3391 from $1.3525 on Wednesday. And European Central Bank president Mario Draghi pledged Thursday to keep a close eye on the economic impact of the rise of the euro, which has gained on the dollar in recent months. It rose from around $1.23 in mid-August to over $1.35 this week. A strong euro hurts the export prospects of the 17 countries in the common currency zone.

33. Economist: Euro crisis could erupt again this year - Friday, January 25, 2013

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Is the euro crisis over? A leading U.S. economist says not by a long shot.

Even as the head of the European Central Bank talked Friday of "positive contagion" in the markets and predicted an economic recovery for the recession-hit eurozone later this year, economist Barry Eichengreen warned that the debt crisis that has shaken Europe to its core could easily erupt again this year unless European leaders move faster to solve their problems.

34. CEOs head to Davos more pessimistic about 2013 - Friday, January 18, 2013

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — As high-powered CEOs flock to the snowy Swiss resort of Davos, they are loaded down with baggage — not just skis and iPads but concerns about the global economy, public mistrust, disappearing jobs and a heap of other challenges.

35. Stocks little changed on Wall Street; Apple slides - Friday, January 11, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple held down the Standard & Poor's 500, pushing it further below the five-year high it reached last week, after the technology giant's stock sank following a report that demand for the iPhone 5 may be weaker than expected. The Dow Jones industrial average edged higher.

36. Stocks are little changed on Wall Street - Friday, January 04, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market gave up an early gain Thursday as economic reports gave investors a mixed picture on the outlook for growth.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 11 points at 13,401 as of 11:32 a.m. EST after rising as much as 54 points at the start of trading. The Standard & Poor's 500 added two points to 1,463, after rising as much as eight. The Nasdaq composite fell 3 points to 3,102.

37. Stocks edge higher on Wall Street - Friday, January 04, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market edged higher on Thursday as investors waited for more indications on the health of U.S. companies from earnings reports. Economic reports were mixed.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 19 points at 13,409 shortly after noon EST. It had been up as much as 54 points in the early going. The Standard & Poor's 500 added three points to 1,464, after rising as much as eight. The Nasdaq composite fell three points to 3,103.

38. UBS to pay $1.5 billion over rate-rigging scandal - Friday, December 14, 2012

GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland's UBS AG agreed Wednesday to pay some $1.5 billion in fines to international regulators following a probe into the rigging of a key global interest rate.

In admitting to fraud, Switzerland's largest bank became the second bank, after Britain's Barclays PLC, to settle over the rate-rigging scandal. The fine, which will be paid to authorities in the U.S., Britain and Switzerland, also comes just over a week after HSBC PLC agreed to pay nearly $2 billion for alleged money laundering.

39. US trade deficit grows to $42.2 billion in October - Friday, December 07, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. trade deficit increased in October because exports fell by a larger margin than imports, a sign that slower global growth could weigh on the U.S. economy.

The Commerce Department said Tuesday that the trade deficit grew 4.8 percent in October from September to $42.2 billion.

40. Oil drops on bleak outlook for Europe economy - Friday, November 30, 2012

The price of oil is dropping after the European Central Bank predicted a bleak year ahead for the region's economy but stopped short of offering new measures to boost growth

Benchmark oil fell $1.80, or 2 percent, on Thursday to $86.08 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international varieties of oil, fell $1.87 to $106.94 per barrel in London.

41. Stocks fall after weak retail reports - Friday, November 09, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Stock indexes fell Thursday, pushing the Dow to its lowest since July, after U.S. retailers turned in mixed earnings reports.

Wal-Mart's stock dropped $2.78 to $68.50 after the company issued a weak forecast for fourth-quarter profits. Ross Stores, whose stores includes Ross Dress for Less, fell $1.41 to $53.71 after its earnings forecast for the next quarter disappointed analysts. Limited Brands, the owner of Victoria's Secret, dropped $1.19 to $45.40 after its earnings outlook also fell short of analysts' expectations.

42. After 3 bumpy years, Europe turns corner on crisis - Friday, November 09, 2012

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The worst of Europe's financial crisis appears to be over.

European leaders have taken steps to ease the panic that has plagued the region for three turbulent years. Financial markets are no longer in a state of emergency over Europe's high government debts and weak banks. And this gives politicians from the 17 countries that use the euro breathing room to fix their remaining problems.

43. Stocks slide on Wall Street, extending sell-off - Friday, November 02, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slid on Wall Street Thursday, a day after the Dow Jones industrial average logged its biggest one-day drop of the year, as investors fretted about the potential for gridlock in Washington.

44. Dow loses 313 in post-election sell-off - Friday, November 02, 2012

Wall Street greeted a second Obama term the way it greeted the first.

Investors dumped stocks Wednesday in the sharpest sell-off of the year. With the election only hours behind them, they focused on big problems ahead in Washington and across the Atlantic Ocean.

45. G-20 officials meet to discuss debt in Europe, US - Friday, November 02, 2012

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Finance ministers and central bank governors from the world's leading economies met in Mexico on Sunday amid growing fears over the global impact of Europe's debt crisis and the stalemate over a fiscal plan in the United States.

46. Eastern Europe gives Volkswagen a sales boost - Friday, October 12, 2012

BERLIN (AP) — Strong sales in Eastern Europe helped Volkswagen AG post a 6.5 percent increase in September sales over the same month last year, despite difficulties caused by the European financial crisis.

47. Stocks head higher, despite Europe worries - Friday, October 05, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — One piece of good news on jobs was enough Thursday on Wall Street.

The stock market popped higher after the Labor Department reported an encouraging decline in weekly claims for unemployment insurance. That one piece of good news was enough to help traders forget about a drumbeat of worrisome developments, like a widening U.S. trade deficit, higher unemployment in Greece and a ratings cut for Spain.'

48. Stocks indexes slide following gloomy IMF forecast - Friday, October 05, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slumped Tuesday on Wall Street after the International Monetary Fund predicted weaker world economic growth and as investors waited for what they expected to be lower corporate earnings.

49. Stocks waver on Spain report, Mosaic miss - Friday, September 28, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Mixed signals on the world economy tugged on major stock indexes Tuesday.

The country's largest fertilizer company, Mosaic, said weak demand from China and India have hurt its profits. Mosaic, Dupont and stocks of other companies in the materials industry fell.

50. Oil posts 8.5 pct gain for quarter; gas at $3.79 - Friday, September 28, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil ended the third quarter with a slight gain as investors weighed whether the world economy could pull out of the doldrums.

Benchmark oil rose 34 cents to $92.19 per barrel in morning trading in New York. In London, Brent crude, which reflects what most U.S. refineries have to pay for oil, rose 38 cents to $112.39.

51. It’s all tied up - Friday, September 28, 2012

The markets today must reconcile two primary opposing factors. On the one hand, global economic statistics and earnings pre-announcements describe a listless global economy – not recessionary per se – but not healthy enough to really drive revenues and confidence. On the other hand, the globe’s major central banks have all committed to indefinite and unlimited monetary stimulus.

52. US stocks down on Europe unrest, weaker home sales - Friday, September 21, 2012

A mixed report about the housing market and unrest in Europe on Wednesday extended the longest losing streak for the Standard & Poor's 500 index since mid-July. Other risky assets, like European stocks and oil, fell more sharply.

53. Dow drops 100 after Fed official's warning - Friday, September 21, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — A quiet day on Wall Street turned into the worst sell-off in three months after a Federal Reserve official said he doubted the bank's effort to boost economic growth would work.

54. US stocks drift as European gloom returns - Friday, September 21, 2012

U.S. stocks meandered sideways Monday as fears about Europe overshadowed recent excitement about central banks' efforts to boost the market.

Stocks opened lower, recovered by mid-afternoon to nearly flat and closed down modestly.

55. Stocks higher in US; in Europe, vows to save euro - Friday, September 21, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks traded higher Friday, with investors latching on to a few mildly hopeful signs about the economy.

Shortly after noon Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 43 points at 13,640. The Standard & Poor's 500 was up six to 1,466. The Nasdaq composite index was up 16 to 3,192.

56. Examining unknowns, certainties - Friday, September 21, 2012

US Fed = Yes

ECB = Yes

US Government = Maybe

China = Unknown

Last week’s announcement of “unlimited” easing from the U.S. Fed combined with the “unlimited” easing announcement by the European Central Bank extended the global rally in everything but Treasuries.

57. Fed to spend $40B a month on bond purchases - Friday, September 07, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve unleashed a series of bold and open-ended steps Thursday to stimulate the economy by making it cheaper for consumers and businesses to borrow and spend.

The Fed said it will spend $40 billion a month to buy mortgage bonds for as long as it deems necessary to make home buying more affordable. It plans to keep short-term interest rates at record lows through mid-2015 — six months longer than previously planned. And it's ready to take other unconventional steps if job growth doesn't pick up.

58. Oil rises after Fed takes steps to boost economy - Friday, September 07, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil rose after the U.S. Federal Reserve announced steps to boost a U.S. economy it says is too weak to reduce high unemployment.

The Fed will spend $40 billion a month to buy mortgaged-back securities. The purchases are intended to lower long-term interest rates to spur borrowing and spending. The Fed also extended a plan to keep short-term interest rates at record-low levels through mid-2015.

59. Expectations high for major Fed action Thursday - Friday, September 07, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — If the world's investors are right, the Federal Reserve is about to take a bold new step to try to invigorate the U.S. economy.

And many expect the Fed to unleash its most potent weapon: a third round of bond purchases meant to ease long-term interest rates and spur borrowing and spending. It's called "quantitative easing," or QE.

60. US stocks rise, and investors wait for the Fed - Friday, September 07, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are finishing with slight gains after Germany's high court cleared the way for the country to participate in a European rescue fund. Attention shifted to the Federal Reserve, which began a big two-day meeting.

61. Stocks end lower ahead of Fed meeting - Friday, September 07, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped on Wall Street as troubling economic news from China and the U.S. outweighed optimism about more stimulus from the Federal Reserve.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 52.35 points to close at 13,254.29 on Monday. The Standard & Poor's 500 slipped 8.84 points to 1,429.08 and the Nasdaq composite fell 32.40 points to 3,104.02.

62. Experts warn of 'perfect storm' for global economy - Friday, September 07, 2012

CERNOBBIO, Italy (AP) — Experts and leaders gathered in Italy may disagree on the cure, but the malady seems clear: the world economy faces a "perfect storm" of risks that include prolonged crisis in a structurally flawed Europe, political paralysis pushing America off a "fiscal cliff," a slowdown in the emerging economies drying up the last of global growth, and the spectacularly destabilizing prospect of war over Iran's nuclear program.

63. Oil rises as jobs report gives fuel to Fed hopes - Friday, September 07, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil finished higher Friday as concerns about a disappointing U.S. employment report gave way to the likelihood of action by the Federal Reserve.

Benchmark crude rose 89 cents to finish at $96.42 per barrel, after an initial negative reaction to the morning's jobs report. The price dropped nearly $2 in the first hour of trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange after the government reported that the economy added a weaker-than-expected 96,000 jobs last month.

64. ECB unveils bond-buying program to fight crisis - Friday, August 31, 2012

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank unveiled its most ambitious plan yet to halt Europe's financial crisis on Thursday with a pledge to buy unlimited amounts of the government bonds of countries struggling to manage their debts.

65. Oil rises on Europe plan, US jobs data - Friday, August 31, 2012

The price of oil rose above $97 a barrel on Thursday after the European Central Bank delivered new measures to help ease Europe's debt crisis.

Benchmark crude rose $1.83 to $97.19 a barrel in New York. In London, Brent crude gained $1.53 at $114.62 on the ICE Futures exchange.

66. Stocks soar after ECB unveils bond buying effort - Friday, August 31, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Investors finally got what they wanted from the European Central Bank: a concrete plan to support struggling countries in the region by buying up large amounts of government bonds. That set off a global market rally and sent U.S. indexes to four-year highs.

67. Survey finds US competitive ranking down again - Friday, August 31, 2012

LONDON (AP) — The United States' ability to compete on the global stage has fallen for the fourth year running as confidence in the country's politicians continues to decline, an annual survey from the World Economic Forum found Wednesday.

68. Stocks barely move; FedEx sinks on profit warning - Friday, August 31, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock prices are closing mixed, held in check by a warning from the huge package delivery company FedEx that its profits would be hurt because of a slowdown in the global economy.

69. Oil prices rise ahead of key European bank meeting - Friday, August 31, 2012

The oil market found little to motivate it Wednesday. That should change in the next two days.

Benchmark oil rose 6 cents to end at $95.36 per barrel in New York. Weak manufacturing reports earlier in the week from China and the U.S., as well as Europe's dire economic picture, weighed on trader sentiment. But that was countered by hope for measures from central banks and governments to promote global economic growth. Such steps could translate into more demand for energy products.

70. Oil slides on economic concerns - Friday, August 31, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil slipped Tuesday after a weak report on U.S. manufacturing suggested demand for oil would fall.

U.S. benchmark crude fell $1.17 to close at $95.30 in New York. Brent crude, which is used by many U.S. refineries to make gasoline, fell $1.60 to $114.18 in London.

71. Stocks end mixed on weak US economic reports - Friday, August 31, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks zigged and zagged after reports that the U.S. economy is weakening at a time when China and Europe are also slowing.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed down 54.90 points at 13,035.94 on Tuesday. Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar was the weakest stock in the Dow average, slipping 3 percent, or $2.67, to $82.66. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 1.64 points to 1,404.94.

72. Markets buoyed by China stimulus hopes - Friday, August 31, 2012

LONDON (AP) — Markets started yet another potentially crucial week on a solid note as investors betted on more central bank action and that China would enact more stimulus measures following a dispiriting manufacturing survey.

73. Few think Bernanke to signal action at conference - Friday, August 24, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — Investors are hoping Chairman Ben Bernanke will at least hint Friday that the Federal Reserve is ready to launch another round of bond purchases to try to lower long-term U.S. interest rates and spur more borrowing and spending.

74. A word from Bernanke lifts stocks to higher close - Friday, August 24, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market keeps getting tossed around by the Fed.

Stocks opened lower Friday but reversed course after a letter surfaced from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggesting there was room for the central bank to do more to help the economy.

75. S&P touches highest level since 2008, then falls - Friday, August 17, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The Standard & Poor's 500 index touched its highest point in more than four years Tuesday, helped by more talk that the European Central Bank may buy struggling countries' bonds. But a morning rally faded, and stocks ended lower.

76. Stocks slip; Apple sets a record - Friday, August 17, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped Monday in one of the quietest trading sessions of the year. Worries about European debt crept up again, and Apple became the most valuable company of all time.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 3.56 points, or 0.3 percent, at 13,271.64. The Standard & Poor's 500 fell a sliver, 0.03 point, to 1,418.13. The Nasdaq composite index fell 0.38 point to 3,076.21.

77. Economy just needs better mechanics - Friday, August 17, 2012

Fedcasting: With the markets and the politicians currently co-dependent, vacation for one implies vacation for the other. Trading volumes have collapsed. For those who are manning their trading terminals, daily market activity amounts to position-squaring ahead of September’s central bank policy proclamations.

78. S&P 500 creeps near four-year high; Cisco surges - Friday, August 10, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Encouraging earnings from Cisco and hopeful signs in a housing report lifted the stock market Thursday. The gains nudged the Standard & Poor's 500 index near the four-year high it hit earlier this year.

79. Stocks fall as economic malaise spreads to Japan - Friday, August 10, 2012

U.S. stocks fell Monday as evidence piled up that the global economic slowdown is dragging on Asia.

The losses broke the longest winning streak for the Standard & Poor's 500 index since December 2010. The index had risen for six straight days.

80. What’s on, what’s off economic table? - Friday, August 10, 2012

On the Table: Conversational Easing With the data stream lukewarm at the moment, markets needed policy support for handholding. Recent history demonstrates that when market anxieties rise, fiscal and monetary authorities intervene. We have described this as the “Punch/Counterpunch” market.

81. Oil slips after 3 straight gains; pump prices rise - Friday, August 03, 2012

The upward climb in oil prices paused on Wednesday. But the respite may not last long.

Oil has registered a 20 percent gain since late June. Some investors have been buying because they fear a disruption of supplies from the Middle East while others hope that central banks will take more steps to promote economic growth.

82. A rally on Wall Street fades; Dow up 7 pts., Priceline tanks - Friday, August 03, 2012

A stock market rally lost steam Wednesday after mixed earnings from U.S. companies added to fears about Europe's economic slowdown.

Several big consumer goods companies warned that weak demand in Europe was cutting into their revenue. That followed worrisome economic news from England, France and Germany, where growth had offset recessions in other European countries like Italy and Greece.

83. US stocks closing higher; Knight Capital gets lifeline - Friday, August 03, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks edged higher on a day marked by uncharacteristic quiet following a turbulent week.

In the absence of major economic news, stocks were riding a tailwind of optimism from the most recent U.S. job numbers released last week and hope for more action by European authorities to address that region's debt crisis.

84. ECB's Draghi: Bank may intervene on bonds - Friday, August 03, 2012

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said Thursday the bank would make a new effort to buy government bonds to drive down the high borrowing rates squeezing the continent's indebted governments. And he urged leaders of the 17 countries that use the euro to use their bailout fund to do the same.

85. Stocks soar on surprisingly strong July job report - Friday, August 03, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — A surge in hiring last month got a big welcome on Wall Street Friday.

The Dow Jones industrial average surged 217.29 points to close at 13,096.17, ending a four-day losing streak. It was the best day for the Dow since June 29.

86. Shoppers' spending a bright note for economy - Friday, August 03, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers showed some spending muscle in July, once summer clearance sales and the hottest July in 50 years got them in the mood.

Solid sales reports from retailers Thursday took some of the sting out of weak June manufacturing data. And improving trends in unemployment benefit applications provide hope for slightly better job growth in coming months a day before the government reports on July employment.

87. Oil prices drop below $88 - Friday, July 27, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil is falling after the head of the European Central Bank disappointed investors by failing to take immediate action to prop up the eurozone economy.

ECB President Mario Draghi said last week that he would do "whatever it takes" to save the euro. Draghi was expected to quickly back that up with a plan to spark spending and borrowing in the European Union.

88. ECB's Draghi: Bank may intervene on bonds - Friday, July 27, 2012

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said Thursday the bank would make a new effort to buy government bonds to drive down the high borrowing rates squeezing the continent's indebted governments. And he urged leaders of the 17 countries that use the euro to use their bailout fund to do the same.

89. Shoppers' spending a bright note for economy - Friday, July 27, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers showed some spending muscle in July, once summer clearance sales and the hottest July in 50 years got them in the mood.

Solid sales reports from retailers Thursday took some of the sting out of weak June manufacturing data. And improving trends in unemployment benefit applications provide hope for slightly better job growth in coming months a day before the government reports on July employment.

90. With no concrete action in Europe, stocks slump - Friday, July 27, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — The European Central Bank on Thursday laid some of its game plan for tackling the continent's debt crisis, but markets wanted much more.

Stock indexes sank across the U.S. and Europe, the euro fell against the dollar and investors dumped bonds issued by the governments of Spain and Italy. Hopes had been high that the ECB would announce more immediate steps, considering the ECB president's pledge last week to do "whatever it takes" to keep the euro intact.

91. Fed says US economy has slowed, takes no new steps - Friday, July 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economy is losing strength and repeated a pledge to take further steps to boost growth if hiring remains weak.

The Fed took no new action after a two-day policy meeting. But it acknowledged in a statement released after the meeting that economic activity had slowed over the first half of the year, with job creation remaining sluggish and consumer spending tapering off somewhat.

92. US manufacturing sector shrank for second month - Friday, July 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. manufacturing shrank for the second straight month in July, further evidence of an economy growing at a sluggish pace.

The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Wednesday that its index of manufacturing activity ticked up to 49.8, from 49.7 in June.

93. Fed wraps up meeting as markets await action - Friday, July 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve concludes its two-day policy meeting Wednesday with a big question looming: Will it take some new action to jolt the U.S. economy out of its slump?

Investors are hoping the Fed will announce another round of bond purchases, known as quantitative easing. The goal is to lower long-term interest rates and encourage more borrowing and spending.

94. On a chaotic day, Fed, glitches push stocks lower - Friday, July 27, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — There was more than one story line playing out in the stock market Wednesday.

The market wavered between gains and losses for much of the day, yanked around by technical problems, an ambiguous statement from the Federal Reserve, and mixed reports on U.S. companies that made it difficult to decipher just where the economy is headed.

95. Will central banks rescue US, European economies? - Friday, July 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — The world's top central bankers have said they're willing to rescue the economies of Europe and the United States. This week we'll find out if they are ready to act.

The Federal Reserve wraps up its two-day policy meeting Wednesday. Chairman Ben Bernanke has pledged to act if unemployment stays high. The European Central Bank meets Thursday — a week after ECB President Mario Draghi vowed to "do whatever it takes" to save the European common currency, the euro.

96. Eurozone unemployment at record high in June - Friday, July 27, 2012

LONDON (AP) — The number of people unemployed across the 17 countries that use the euro hit a record high in June, official figures showed Tuesday, in a stark reminder that Europe's debt crisis has ramifications beyond the financial markets.

97. Stocks slip ahead of crucial Fed, ECB meetings - Friday, July 27, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks ended slightly lower Tuesday as investors held back ahead of three critical events this week: policy meetings at both the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank and a closely watched report on jobs in the U.S.

98. Fed could be moving to more bond buying - Friday, July 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve appears to be moving toward announcing some new step to try to energize the troubled U.S. economy. The question is whether it will do so after its policy meeting this week.

99. Geithner meeting German finance minister, Draghi - Friday, July 27, 2012

BERLIN (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was meeting his German counterpart and the head of the European Central Bank on Monday following a flurry of pledges to save the euro that raised expectations of decisive action soon. Germany, however, appeared to downplay those hopes.

100. Stock indexes drift lower, ending a two-day rally - Friday, July 27, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) — A two-day rally that sent stocks soaring last week fizzled out Monday.

European leaders vowed Thursday and Friday to keep the continent's monetary union intact, and investors sent stock markets shooting higher. But stocks were little changed Monday as investors waited to see if they would back up their words with action.