Asian stock markets fell today as the global economic slowdown threatens to reduce corporate profits.

A jump in unemployment sent stocks plunging today as investors feared Americans will not deviate from their tightened budgets.

Wall Street pushed higher today as investors looked past a weaker-than-expected report on jobless claims and tepid November retail figures. The Dow Jones industrials reached their highest level in 18 months.

A disappointing outlook from AOL Time Warner put investors in the United states on the defensive today, prompting them to question the strength of other big companies and bid stocks sharply lower.