The Dow Jones industrial average broke through 12,000 for the first time in two and a half years today but slipped lower in afternoon trading.

Investors sent Washington a message this week: They won’t commit to stocks until the government commits to a plan.

Wall Street is now worrying about the companies usually seen as safe havens.

Wall Street staged a big advance in the penultimate session of 2008 today after Washington’s latest lifeline to the car industry bolstered hopes that the US government will do whatever is necessary to cut short the recession.

Wall Street launched a massive rebound today, muscling the Dow Jones industrial average up nearly 553 points after driving it down near its lows for the year, as investors decided they did not want to miss out on cheap stocks.

Stocks reversed a steep sell-off to end mostly higher today as fears about a worrying jobs report gave way to bargain-hunting in sectors like financials and consumer staples.

Wall Street fell sharply for a second straight session today after a hefty jump in wholesale inflation and a drop in new home construction gave investors more reason to believe an economic recovery is far off.

Wall Street extended its slump into yet another week today as investors worried that even a safety net set up for mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would not head off further troubles in the US financial markets.

A barrage of bad news including a new record high for oil sent Wall Street plunging today, hurtling the Dow Jones industrials down nearly 360 points to their lowest level in nearly two years.

US stocks tumbled today as the ailing credit market and a spike in home foreclosures intensified the market’s worries about a sagging economy. The Dow Jones industrials gave up 214 points.

Wall Street finished only slightly higher in an erratic session today as investors remained unconvinced by a Federal Reserve plan to work with other central banks to alleviate the global credit crisis.

Wall Street paused from its big rally today, with stocks closing narrowly mixed after the government’s November labour report showed tepid job growth as well as a pick-up in inflation.

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.

Stocks rose today as investors capped a volatile week by engaging in a bit of Black Friday bargain-hunting and searched for indications of how well retailers might fare during what is expected to be a tough holiday shopping season.

Wall Street finished essentially flat today, with investors still confident the Federal Reserve will lower rates next week but treading cautiously as oil prices crossed $80 a barrel for the first time and the dollar extended its decline.

US stocks plunged today, driving the Dow Jones industrials down more than 240 points in their second-biggest drop of the year as troubles piled up for subprime lenders, who lend money to people with a low credit rating.

US stocks finished mixed today after consumer prices showed a larger-than-expected increase in January and minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting showed the central bank considered but decided against taking a more dovish tone on the threat of inflation.

Wall Street extended its losses today as investors awaited a stream of key economic data this week and were left disappointed by the collapse of several closely-watched acquisition deals.

Wall Street surged today, carrying the Dow Jones industrials to their second-best close yet, as positive economic data further buoyed a growing sense of optimism among investors. The Dow closed just 53 points from its record high close.

Wall Street emerged from the summer doldrums today as a second straight day of better-than-expected inflation figures sent stocks soaring and pushed the Dow Jones industrials to its highest level in three months.

Mild economic data and strong retail sales lifted stocks today and helped investors overcome concerns about the Federal Reserve’s expected decision on interest rate hikes next week.

Wall Street limped to a mixed finish today as uncertainty over the situation in the Middle East and a disappointing earnings report from Citigroup gave traders little impetus to buy after last week’s selloff.

Wall Street finished its worst week of the year with a moderate decline today as persistent unease over inflation and interest rates kept investors nervous about buying.

Wall Street showed some signs of stability late today, posting a moderate decline after falling sharply early in the session in response to tumbling commodities prices.

The Nasdaq composite and Standard & Poor’s 500 indexes closed at five-year highs today after a positive report on the US economy’s service sector pushed stocks modestly higher.

Wall Street’s four-day rally paused today with the major indexes finishing mixed as optimism over a potential end to the Federal Reserve’s string of interest rates clashed with investors’ desire to take profits after the run higher.

Rising bond yields triggered a sell-off on Wall Street today as persistent nervousness about the economy and interest rates motivated investors to take profits.

A mixed economic picture sent stocks tumbling today, with the Dow Jones industrials falling more than 100 points after investors were unnerved by weakness in home sales, consumer confidence and manufacturing.

Stocks ended a lethargic session moderately lower today as a lack of economic news returned investors’ focus to interest rates and inflation ahead of comments from new Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke later this week.

US stocks closed with a narrow loss today as declining oil prices sent the energy sector lower and investors continued their jittery reactions to corporate earnings.

US stocks rose moderately today as investors digested Tuesday’s gains, which followed the Federal Reserve’s signal that it may be nearing the end of its streak of short-term interest rate hikes.

Stocks were modestly lower on Wall Street today as investors consolidated their holdings despite solid corporate earnings reports and the biggest drop in consumer prices in 56 years.

Wall Street made an auspicious start to December today with stocks soaring as investors welcomed inflation-friendly economic data and hoped the November rally would continue through year-end.

Stocks turned in a mixed performance today after a report showed that the nation’s manufacturing sector was expanding but facing even higher costs, triggering worries about inflation and rising interest rates.

Wall Street finished a difficult week lower today as investors, restrained by uncertainty about the economic impact of Hurricane Katrina, had little reaction to a sharp decline in oil prices and a drop in unemployment.

Oil prices that soared to US$65 (€52.48) a barrel choked off an early rally on Wall Street today, pummelling the market's optimism about the economy in the process.

Another series of attacks in London unnerved Wall Street today, sending stocks falling as investors looked past strong earnings and China’s decision to revalue its currency.

US stocks crept lower today as Wall Street steadied itself after last week’s losses and waited for the Federal Reserve’s meeting on interest rates.

US Stocks vaulted higher for a second session on Wall Street today as investors welcomed the Treasury Department’s move to put pressure on the Chinese currency.

Reassuring words from the Federal Reserve triggered a late-session stock rally in the US, as minutes from the Fed’s March 22 meeting showed it planned to stick with “measured” interest rate hikes, at least in the short term.

Reassuring words from the Federal Reserve triggered a late-session stock rally today, as minutes from the Fed's March 22 meeting showed it planned to stick with "measured" interest rate hikes, at least in the short term.

Stocks wobbled to a mixed finish today as dramatically lower oil prices offset a US government report that offered new evidence of rising inflation.

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.

Stocks staggered to a mixed finish today after US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told a congressional committee the economy is strong, a sign that the central bank is likely to continue raising interest rates.