Disappointing retail sales data and a rise in oil prices pushed US stocks lower today as investors, once again worried about oil’s impact on consumer spending, took profits from the market’s July rally.

Wall Street waffled before finishing lower today as oil prices also see-sawed and traders weighed lacklustre earnings from Xerox Corp against a surge in housing prices.

Wall Street capped a stellar week by extending its rally for a ninth straight session, as a better-than-expected employment report boosted stocks and gave investors hope that the economy was strengthening.

US financial-services companies plan to transfer 500,000 jobs out of the country, but Ireland is placed only ninth in a list of the top ten relocation countries.