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.

US stocks finished mixed in post-holiday trading today as Wall Street meandered through a lacklustre day.

Speculation about a takeover battle for Sainsbury’s helped keep top flight shares above the key 4500 support level today.

Wall Street posted its biggest decline in a month today as the United States and Britain submitted a new UN Security Council resolution authorising war against Iraq.

Investors tried to shake off doubts about a decline in consumer confidence today, but lingering misgivings put an end to a two-day rally as stocks lost ground in largely indecisive trading.

Doubts about corporate bookkeeping and earnings thwarted Wall Street for a fifth consecutive session today, giving the Nasdaq composite index its longest losing streak since the terrorist attacks.

Investors pushed stocks lower today, knocking the Nasdaq composite index to its lowest level since April.

US investors have regained confidence in hi-tech stocks while lessening their reliance on safer blue chips.