Wall Street tumbled today as worries about losses in the financial sector, higher unemployment and lacklustre sales at retailers touched off fresh concerns about the economy.

Asian markets tumbled today as investors reacted nervously to a steep decline on Wall Street on Friday after disappointing economic and corporate news renewed worries the US economy was sliding into a recession.

Wall Street resumed its rally today after new data showed the overall US economy is holding up but is not too strong to prevent the Federal Reserve from cutting interest rates.

Wall Street rose for a second straight session today after the government’s latest gross domestic product reading showed the economy was in better shape than expected, easing concerns that growth was moderating too sharply. The Dow Jones industrials rose 90 points.

Lower oil prices and a rebound in manufacturing activity helped Wall Street extend its rally today, lifting the Dow Jones industrials to a fresh five-year high for the fourth straight session.

A surprisingly weak reading on the manufacturing sector sent US stocks mostly lower today as investors feared that the economy has indeed run into a soft patch.

Nagging worries about inflation bogged Wall Street down today with investors sending stocks lower as they tried to reconcile solid economic and earnings news, reports of anthrax discovered at the Pentagon, and a gloomy outlook on semiconductor stocks.

Wall Street managed a moderate gain today in a volatile session that saw investors alternating between worries about interest rates and delight in a new wave of merger deals.

Wall Street ended an otherwise stellar week with a mixed finish today after the government’s gross domestic product report renewed concerns that high energy prices and a lack of jobs are holding back economic growth.

Wall Street stumbled through a listless session today, closing modestly lower as reports on industrial production and business inventories failed to satisfy investors who had bet on a quick economic rebound.