Medtronic Inc, the world’s biggest maker of heart-rhythm devices, said fiscal third-quarter profit increased 1.2% as rising global demand for pacemakers eased a slump in sales of defibrillators and spinal products.

THE US central bank will maintain its holdings of securities to stop money from being drained out of the financial system, in their first attempt to bolster the economy in more than a year.

US Stocks eked out modest gains today ahead of the bank holiday weekend as investors eyed higher oil prices and a government report showing rising personal incomes but slower growth in consumer spending.

US Stocks tumbled sharply on Wall Street today as rising crude oil prices prompted Delta Air Lines to warn of possible bankruptcy and the rumour mill chewed over the possibility of hedge fund losses due to steep investments in troubled vehicle manufacturer General Motors.

A sharp slide in oil prices was not enough to keep US stocks aloft today as March retail sales fell short of expectations and investors grew apprehensive about weak consumer spending.

US stocks managed to extend their gains into a second session today as a bright outlook from Oracle and better-than-expected results from chipmaker Texas Instruments lifted the technology sector.

Stocks rose sharply on the New York Stock Exchange today, extending their rally for a second session as investors expressed relief over plummeting oil prices following a government report that showed a build in crude inventories.

A brokerage downgrade of several semiconductor companies pressured tech shares in New York today, while the broader market was little changed as a jump in jobless claims offset investors’ relief over declining oil prices.

Stocks slid in New York today as investors focused on the US government’s forthcoming employment report, shrugging off a widely expected decision by Opec to raise its crude oil output.

More signs of the improving business climate – better-than-expected holiday sales and Nokia’s latest fourth-quarter outlook – sent stocks moderately higher today.

A trio of positive economic reports – from jobless claims to manufacturing - boosted Wall Street today as investors grew more confident that the economic recovery was firmly under way. The Dow Jones industrials climbed 102 points to a 19-month high.

Stocks finished essentially flat in New York today in very light post-Thanksgiving trading, as the market struggled to find direction in an absence of economic news.

Wall Street retreated Thursday as a wave of terror attacks continued in Turkey with the bombings of HSBC bank and the British consulate. Upbeat reports on employment and the economy helped limit the market’s losses.

Wall Street ended an indecisive week on a quiet note yesterday, with investors half-heartedly picking up shares in response to strong sales from McDonald’s.

Buyers returned to Wall Street in earnest today, lured by Microsoft’s upbeat outlook and lower prices after three days of declines. Investors sent stocks sharply higher, pushing the Dow Jones industrials up nearly 140 points.

Wall Street moved higher for a third day today, despite a trio of mixed economic reports as upbeat investors made more bets on an economic recovery by year’s end.

Wall Street moved higher for a third day today, despite a trio of mixed economic reports as upbeat investors made more bets on an economic recovery by year’s end.

A tepid durable-goods report put pressure on Wall Street today, sending stocks modestly lower.

Wall Street retreated for a fifth straight day today as investors dumped stocks on worries that disappointing retail sales and United Airlines’ threat of bankruptcy would curtail corporate profits.

Wall Street declined in a choppy session as investors, flustered by mixed economic reports and more earnings warnings, shied away from commitments to stocks.

Nike has brought in fourth-quarter earnings slightly ahead of market expectations, in what chairman and co-founder Phil Knight says are his swansong results.

Investors showed a growing lack of faith in corporate America’s accounting practices today, sending the Dow Jones industrials tumbling nearly 250 points on worries that more companies might be vulnerable to bookkeeping scandals.