Topic: CBOE Volatility Index

Stocks edge higher on drop in jobless claims

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street but only after giving up much of the ground they won earlier in the day. Good news on jobless claims and healthy earnings from name-brand companies like Royal Caribbean and Harley-Davidson encouraged investors to buy stocks.

Stocks fall on threat of Italy deadlock

Stocks saw their worst decline in months Monday as Italy heads for political disarray. As stocks plunged, gauges of market sentiment indicated that investors were becoming more risk-averse and parking their money in defensive assets.

Asian markets cheer Spain's plans for reform (+video)

Asian stocks edge up as debt-laden Spain unveils budget plans with sharp cuts in government spending. Euro and Japanese yen climb while dollar falls.

China manufacturing slows. Asian stocks fall.

Chinese manufacturing is still contracting, but HSBC flash PMI suggests that the sector is starting to stabilize. Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Australian exchanges all fall after weak Chinese manufacturing data. 

Stocks edge up on revised GDP

Stocks rise as US revises upward its estimate of GDP growth from 1.5 to 1.7 percent. Among big stock movers, WellPoint climbs 8 percent; Heinz falls 2 percent. 

Stocks rise, but S&P flat for the year

Stocks get a boost from an increase in pending home sales. With only two full trading sessions left in 2011, stocks are struggling to finish in positive territory.

Stocks fall late, erasing midday gains

Stocks slid in late afternoon trading. The Dow lost 66 points Tuesday to close at 11954, after gaining as much as 126 points earlier. Stocks on the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also suffered losses.

Stocks creep higher after steep losses

Stocks calmed down after Monday's big declines. Stocks on the Dow gained 69 points by noon Tuesday.

US stocks fall sharply after ECB inaction

US stocks were down near session lows in midday trading. The European Central Bank's announcement that it had no large-scale bond-buying plan undercut enthusiasm for US stocks.

Should the retirement age be raised to 70?

One expert argues that life expectancy is up, so raising the retirement age is necessary to preserve benefits.

Stocks plunge as worries about Europe intensify

The Dow fell 303.68 points to close at 10,992.13. The S&P lost 31.67 points to 1,154.23, and the Nasdaq dropped 61.15 points to end the day at 2,467.99.

Stock market plunges and soars. Is it acting irrationally?

Swings of hundreds of points up or down have investors wondering if the stock market is irrational. Analysts say the volatility reflects uncertainty about the economy. Get used to it.

Dow Jones roller coaster finishes higher. What made the stock market so wild?

The stock market has taken investors on a wild ride. After plunging Thursday, the Dow Jones swung through a 416-point range Friday before finishing up almost 61. One reason for the behavior is investor fear.

Impasse over US debt limit sends stocks lower

The Dow closed about 88 points down, the S&P 500 lost about 7 points, and the Nasdaq fell about 16 points

Osama bin Laden dead, but no 'peace dividend'

Osama bin Laden death cheered many Americans, but not US markets or economists. Osama bin Laden death will have little effect on business or military spending.

Stock market falls on North Korea, Fed outlook

Stock market loses 142 points after North, South Korea exchange fire and Federal Reserve lowers growth outlook.

Stock market bouncing back day after biggest drop of the year

The stock market rebounded somewhat Friday morning after news that the German parliament approved that country's portion of a large European bailout.

Spread of Greek debt crisis hits world markets

Fears of the spread of Greek debt crisis hit stocks and currencies around the world Thursday.

Quadruple witching: what it is and what it can do to markets

US stocks enjoy strongest quarter since '98