Profit news gives Wall St limited gains

Better-than-expected profits from Citigroup and Bank of America lifted Wall Street today as investors grew more optimistic about a strong economic rebound. A late-day sell-off, however, limited the gains.

The Dow Jones industrials rose as much as 158 points before losing momentum in the final hour of trading. Analysts said it was unclear whether reports of a trading error at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were behind the drop or if investors opted to turn cautious after the large run-up.