Wall Street closed lower in profit-taking today after the previous session’s big gain, though the market held on reasonably well despite a surprising drop in consumer confidence and a disappointing forecast from Texas Instruments Inc.

Profit-taking sent stocks modestly lower in the United States today after oil prices topped US$55 (€41.21) a barrel and a disappointing earnings update from Texas Instruments Inc cast fresh doubts on the tech sector.

Wall Street got the dose of good news it has been longing for today better-than-expected earnings, and from two big companies, General Motors and Texas Instruments.