World stocks rose more than 1% yesterday and the euro gained amid optimism the world’s central banks will provide more economic stimulus as the eurozone debt crisis worsens.

A private sector solution is not likely amid fear of bad loans and recession, writes Sinead Cruise

US stocks ended a rough week with slight gains today after Libyan government forces declared a ceasefire and a group of the world’s seven largest countries announced a plan to bring the yen down from historic highs.

US stocks closed slightly lower today as investors’ pessimistic view of the economy deepened.

Fresh signs that the US economy continues to recover sent the Dow Jones industrial average briefly above 11,000 today for the first time in 18 months.

Wall Street pulled off a big turnaround today, rebounding from a steep early drop to finish modestly higher.

Wall Street turned in a mixed performance after a fresh report on retail sales and a new oil price record told investors the same old story – the economy is hurting and costs are rising, but things could be worse.

The stock market finished with a sharp loss today after bleak readings on the economy heightened investors’ fears of a recession. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 140 points.

Wall Street finished moderately higher in fitful trading today as investors, still nervous about the economy, decided to buy back into a stock market pummelled by three straight days of losses.

Wall Street wilted today as investors awaiting next week’s Federal Reserve meeting remained uneasy that fallout from the slumping housing market could bring more bank losses and pull the economy into recession.

Wall Street finished a back-and-forth session higher today as investors overcame some of their nervousness about the credit markets and uneven earnings and found solace in the technology sector.

US stocks retreated today as Wall Street took a breather from this week's recent rally, sobered a bit by mixed earnings reports, a tumbling dollar and surging oil prices.

US stocks slid today as investors, securing positions before the second half of the year begins, sold off due to rising oil prices and lingering worries about subprime mortgage lending troubles.

Wall Street reached another milestone during a muted session today, when the Standard & Poor's 500 index briefly passed its record close of 1,527.46 for the first time in more than seven years.

Wall Street managed a moderate advance in an uneven session today.

Near-record oil prices today in the wake of an Alaskan oilfield shutdown prompted investors to sell stocks on inflation fears, one day before the Federal Reserve’s next decision on interest rates.

Wall Street pulled back sharply today as a lack of economic news left investors hesitant to buy stocks ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision next week.

Stocks faced a second day of steep losses today as the dollar weakened and bonds prices fell after data showing higher import prices stoked the market’s inflation worries. The major indexes declined sharply this week.

Fresh signs of inflation risk left stocks mixed on Wall Street today as new data on US gross domestic product bolstered the Federal Reserve’s view that the economy remains strong.

US stocks rose modestly in the United States today after investors bobbed and weaved with every word of new Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s testimony before Congress.

Disappointing tech sector earnings set off a second day of selling on Wall Street today, though the markets showed strength in the face of a major selloff in Japan.

Strong growth in the United States’ gross domestic product spooked investors and sent stocks mostly lower today as the data renewed fears that the Federal Reserve would continue raising interest rates.

A late rally gave Wall Street a modest advance today after a lacklustre employment report left investors wondering about the pace of US economic growth and inflation.

A rise in oil prices sent stocks falling in the United States today as traders worried about the damage that Hurricane Rita might wreak on Texas refineries. The Dow Jones industrial average lost more than 100 points.

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.