Wall Street finished a back-and-forth session sharply higher today as investors sought bargains while also contending with concerns about the strength of the economy and upcoming corporate results.

Stocks rallied strongly on Wall Street today as investors grew more confident about the prospects for the economy despite the impact of hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

Wall Street’s fixation with oil prices left stocks little changed today, although investors managed to react stoically to the government’s report of a drop in crude inventories.

Wall Street slipped lower but still held on to most of its recent gains today as investors, their confidence in the economy growing, reacted calmly to oil prices that approached US$60 (€49.36) per barrel.