Wall Street ended an erratic session little changed today as strength in energy stocks offset a weak manufacturing data and a disappointing forecast from Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Stocks wobbled and closed mixed for a second straight session today after a dip in consumer confidence countered better-than-expected quarterly results from companies such as Eastman Kodak Co.

The Dow Jones industrial average briefly swept past 12,000 for the first time today, extending its march into record territory as investors grow increasingly optimistic about corporate earnings and the economy.

Mild economic data gave Wall Street a moderate gain today as stocks survived a round of profit-taking ahead of the Labor Department’s June employment report. A favourable court ruling for Altria Group Inc lifted the Dow Jones industrials.

Higher oil prices and sliding consumer confidence sent stocks plunging today as a weak sales report from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. raised concerns about discretionary spending.The Dow Jones industrial skidded almost 185 points.

Wall Street showed signs of life to today, closing sharply higher after a drop in existing home sales and sturdy economic growth calmed investors’ inflation jitters and motivated them to buy stocks after two weeks of losses.

US stocks drooped today after a robust reading on the economy, minutes from the most recent meeting of the Federal Reserve and the continuation of a solid earnings season cemented the feeling on the Street that additional rate hikes are a near certainty.

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 in the United States meandered through a listless session today, ending lower as investors ignored generally benign economic data and looked ahead to 2006 with a mix of optimism and concern.

US stocks finished mixed today as interest rate worries and a legal setback for Merck & Co countered momentum from a possible multi-billion-dollar acquisition by ConocoPhillips.

Stocks declined moderately today as news of job cuts at Merck & Co. and a mixed holiday sales snapshot prompted Wall Street to take a breather from its recent five-week rally.

US stocks extended their rally today after the Federal Reserve’s latest take on the economy raised hopes that the central bank’s string of interest rate hikes are coming to an end.

Wall Street wandered through a listless session today finishing little changed as investors cast aside upbeat earnings at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Lowe’s Cos. ahead of critical inflation and spending data later this week.

PFIZER, the world’s biggest drugmaker, said third-quarter earnings plunged 52% on lower sales of its Celebrex painkiller and Neurontin epilepsy drug.

Wall Street ended a erratic quarter with a modest advance today as falling oil prices helped ease concerns about a weakening consumer environment following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Wall Street finished an uninspired session mixed today as a new record high in oil prices was partly offset by a better-than-expected reading of the nation’s industrial activity and strong sales at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Wall Street waffled before finishing lower today as oil prices also see-sawed and traders weighed lacklustre earnings from Xerox Corp against a surge in housing prices.

Oil prices pressured stocks today, leaving the major indexes mixed despite upbeat retail sales and strong economic news.

A huge jump in wholesale prices sent stocks falling in the United States today as investors worried that rising oil prices were starting to take a toll on the overall economy.

US investors cheered by falling oil prices and improving jobs prospects sent stocks higher today, hoping that the news signals a renewal of economic strength and a fall rally in stocks.

A disappointing sales forecast from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. sent stocks mostly lower today as investors worried that oil prices, which stabilised after last week’s highs, would curb consumer spending and hurt companies’ third-quarter earnings.

A drop in oil prices and upbeat outlooks from Wal-Mart and Lowe’s prompted some bargain-hunting on Wall Street, sending stocks sharply higher today, with the swing exaggerated by thin late summer trading. The Dow Jones industrials surged nearly 130 points higher.

US stocks resumed their decline today as investors, concerned that slumping retail sales would further slow the economy, abandoned small-cap and technology shares.

Wall Street posted a healthy advance today as consumer confidence surged to a 22-month high and quelled investor concerns about the economy a day before the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates.

Economic uncertainty overshadowed a peaceful and early transfer of power in Iraq today, cutting off a rally and leaving stocks modestly lower while investors fretted about the Federal Reserve’s imminent decision on interest rates.

Tesco Plc, Britain’s biggest grocery chain, is looking to expand into China, the world’s most populous country, as price competition at home crimps profit growth, chief executive Terry Leahy said.

Interest rate fears drove a major sell-off on Wall Street today, with the Dow Jones industrial average closing below 10,000 for the first time since December 10 and sending all three major indexes to their lows for the year.

US consumer spending rose in August for a fourth month as cash gained from reduced income tax withholding rates helped boost purchases at stores and auto dealerships, a government report showed.

Stocks slid today after finance ministers from leading industrial nations called for more flexible currency rates, sparking a tumble in the dollar and investor fears of dampened foreign investment.

Wall Street extended its advance into a sixth straight week today after a brokerage upgrade of IBM raised investor expectations of a rebounding economy. The Nasdaq composite reached an 18-month high.

AS second-half profit at Boots Group Plc’s plummeted by 31% the company said Ireland continues to be its best performing territory.

THE idea that there are companies generating more wealth than Ireland has been debunked by the United Nations.