A jump in US car sales and other good news on the economy helped drive the stock market higher yesterday.

Despite the economic compromise, the US could still lose its coveted AAA debt rating some time in the next six months, largely because the agreement does not cut enough spending.

A warning from Standard & Poor's (S&P) that the agency might lower its rating on US government debt sent American stocks on their steepest slide in a month last night.

Wall Street stocks ended lower today on lingering fears that Europe’s debt crisis will continue to spread even after Ireland gets bailed out.

US stocks had another volatile day, swinging widely before closing sharply lower.

US stocks ended narrowly mixed today after a strong earnings report from Caterpillar overshadowed questions about financial regulation.

Stocks in the US halted their steady climb today after renewed concerns about Greece’s ability to pay its debts left investors questioning a global economic recovery.

Investors sent Washington a message this week: They won’t commit to stocks until the government commits to a plan.

Wall Street brushed off more bad economic news today and finished with a rally that left stocks at their highest levels in two months.

Wall Street extended its losses today as a negative ratings outlook on financial and industrial powerhouse General Electric Co shook an already fragile investor psyche and sent stocks tumbling.

Wall Street withstood another stream of bad economic readings today, closing sharply higher as investors shuttled between pessimism about the recession and hopes that the nation might start seeing relief soon. The major indexes saw big swings throughout the day, but all closed up more than 2%, giving the market its second straight advance.

Wall Street ended a tumultuous two-week run relatively quietly today, finishing another back-and-forth session mixed as investors were cheered by signs of easing in the credit markets and managed to absorb lacklustre economic news with equanimity.

Wall Street ended a relatively calm session with a moderate loss today as investors decided to cash in some of their profits from the previous day’s massive advance.

Wall Street tumbled today after the US government said personal incomes fell last month by the largest amount in nearly three years while consumer spending slowed.

Wall Street ended an arduous first half quietly with stocks showing mostly modest declines.

Wall Street closed a winning week with a narrowly mixed performance today after the US government reported that Americans’ spending rose in April to keep pace with rising costs.

Wall Street shot higher today as investors, while anticipating another dismal jobs report on Friday, viewed the rising dollar and falling oil prices as promising for the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average rose nearly 190 points to finish above 13,000 for the first time since January 3.

Stocks tumbled today after a plan to alleviate a liquidity crisis at Bear Stearns touched off concerns about the severity of credit troubles.

Wall Street closed narrowly mixed today as investors wrestled with record-high commodities prices and data that pointed to a continually weakening economy.

Wall Street finished moderately higher in fitful trading today as investors, still nervous about the economy, decided to buy back into a stock market pummelled by three straight days of losses.

Wall Street retrenched today, closing sharply lower as investors showed their cautious side and cashed in profits from the market's best week in nearly five years.

Wall Street pulled off a stunning comeback today, surging higher in late trading and wiping out what looked to be yet another precipitous decline.

Wall Street advanced sharply today, boosted by news that Merrill Lynch will receive an investment of up to $6.2bn (€4.3bn) from two investment groups.

Wall Street extended last week’s losses today as investors remained concerned about flagging growth and rising prices, and were sceptical that a special Federal Reserve credit auction would be a solution.

Wall Street ratcheted its way through a fractious session today before finally closing lower on expectations of further fallout from the ongoing credit crisis.

Wall Street closed mostly higher today as investors appeared relieved that more bad news did not emerge about risky mortgages and shrinking credit markets. Investors seeking safety pressed into shorter-term Treasurys.

Wall Street plunged today as investors, driving the Dow Jones industrial average down nearly 130 points, grappled with a seemingly relentless rise in bond yields.

A still skittish Wall Street closed modestly lower today, having clawed its way back from an early-session plunge after upbeat manufacturing data allayed fears about a flagging US economy.

Wall Street retreated sharply today as investors glumly absorbed a spike in oil prices and comments from two Federal Reserve officials that unexpected economic growth could prompt an interest rate hike.

Wall Street retreated sharply today as investors glumly absorbed a spike in oil prices and comments from two Federal Reserve officials that unexpected economic growth could prompt an interest-rate hike.

Stocks gave up a moderate early advance to close barely changed today after oil prices rebounded from their recent decline, rising as much as a US dollar a barrel.

Wall Street rallied for a third session in a row today, propelling the Dow Jones industrials up more than 100 points, after Goldman Sachs reported results that beat expectations and investors grew more confident that the recent drop in crude oil prices would boost consumer spending.

Mild economic data and strong retail sales lifted stocks today and helped investors overcome concerns about the Federal Reserve’s expected decision on interest rate hikes next week.

Wall Street rallied on a burst of optimism today as the multibillion-dollar buyout of HCA and upbeat earnings from drug manufacturers eased anxiety about an economic slowdown. The Dow Jones industrial average soared more than 180 points.

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.

Wall Street pulled back sharply today as a lack of economic news left investors hesitant to buy stocks ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision next week.

Wall Street recovered from an earlier plunge to finish narrowly mixed today as investors attempted to rally from a week of losses fuelled by concerns that higher interest rates will strain the global economy.

A late rebound left US stocks modestly higher on Wall Street today as oil and gold prices tumbled and mild economic data lifted bonds from their recent lows.

Wall Street surrendered early gains and closed lower today as a higher US trade deficit and questions about the labour market dampened enthusiasm over a policy change at the Bank of Japan.

Wall Street slid lower today, with inflation concerns and a disappointing earnings report from media conglomerate Viacom prompting investors to collect profits. A drop in oil prices failed to mitigate the losses.

Investors concerned about inflation after a surprise jump in labour costs bid stocks sharply lower on Wall Street today, with unfounded rumours of a terror threat compounding the selling.

US stocks rallied on Wall Street today after oil futures fell by more than 1 dollar a barrel and Dow Jones industrial average component Boeing said its earnings had more than doubled.

US stocks rose modestly today for a second session in a row as unemployment claims fell unexpectedly and consumer spending grew slightly without triggering inflation.

Better-than-expected consumer confidence numbers and a drop in oil prices sent stocks higher today – extending Wall Street’s November rally in light pre-holiday trading.