Disappointing retail sales figures and an unexpected jump in unemployment claims prompted UA investors to take profits today, leaving stocks mixed despite another big drop in oil prices.

Investors sent US stocks sharply lower today as oil prices continued their climb higher and new questions about the safety of arthritis drugs hit pharmaceutical stocks.

A passenger was being questioned today after an American Airlines commuter flight was diverted when a passenger passed a note to the crew demanding to be taken to Australia, the FBI said.

Powered by a batch of surprisingly good earnings reports, US stocks soared ahead today with the Dow Jones industrials rising more than 375 points for a four-day gain of nearly 1,000.