The number of marriages in Ireland is continuing to rise, new Central Statistics Office data showed today.

Wall Street finished a lacklustre session with modest gains today as stronger-than-expected economic data helped stocks rebound slightly from their disappointment with the Federal Reserve’s latest policy statement.

US Stocks eked out a gain for the fourth straight day today after tepid housing start and jobless claims reports gave investors few clues about the direction of the economy and interest rates.

Investors taking profits after the week’s big advance sent many US stocks falling today, but the lack of a wholesale sell-off left many on Wall Street pleased with the market’s resiliency.

A better-than-expected reading of the United States’ gross domestic product sent stocks substantially higher for the third straight session today, with the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index each posting its best close of the year.

Concerns over the economic impact of the Asian earthquake tsunami disasters pushed stocks lower in the United States today, putting Wall Street’s recent rally on hold despite decent holiday sales figures and falling oil prices.

Investors turned to profit-taking today, leaving stocks mixed after nearly two weeks of solid gains. Another drop in oil prices limited the market’s losses.

Newly optimistic investors sent stocks sharply higher today, propelling the Dow Jones industrials 112 points higher as new economic data showed strength in manufacturing.

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.

Encouraging words from Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan sent stocks soaring today as investors looked forward with renewed enthusiasm to upcoming earnings reports.

Wall Street today had a muted reaction to upbeat reports on US consumer confidence and the gross domestic product, closing narrowly mixed as investors stayed cautious after Monday’s big rally.