Jan Strupczewski, Reuters

Stocks wobbled to a mixed close today as a government report showed an improved supply outlook for oil, and the first day of earnings season forced investors to shift their focus to company news.

Wall Street ended a listless session with stocks nearly flat today as rising oil prices and inflation fears – and a dose of indecision – kept most investors on the sidelines.

Wall Street had an indecisive session today, closing mixed as better-than-expected earnings from Apple Computer and Citigroup were again eclipsed by investors’ growing anxiety over interest rates.

The Dow Jones industrial average reached its highest level since mid-2002 today as investors greeted strong earnings from General Electric Co and Juniper Networks Inc.

Wall Street pulled back today as wary investors decided to cash in recent gains despite upbeat news on IBM Corp. and Intel Corp.

The Nasdaq composite index had its first close above 1,900 in 18 months today and the Dow Jones industrials and Standard & Poor’s 500 index reached new 15-month highs as US stocks surged.

Wall Street posted modest gains today as mixed economic news and a car bombing in Iraq revived investors’ caution following Monday’s big rally.

THE euro may decline after Germany joined Italy in sliding into recession in the second quarter.

The short-end of the European government bonds market soared as US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan signalled rates will stay low for as long as needed, analysts said.

Sluggish retail sales gave investors more incentive to cash in profits from Wall Street’s recent rally today and send stocks lower for a second consecutive session.

The dollar eased versus major currencies in mid-afternoon London trade after a smaller than expected rise in US industrial output in November, dealers said.

Wall Street managed a modest advance today, rising for a fourth time in five days as investors balanced a mixed economic assessment from the Federal Reserve against disappointing earnings from Eli Lilly.

European government bonds slid in late London trade as investors decided to take their profits amid a better performance on stocks, dealers said.