STOCKS - The Salt Lake Tribune

Buybacks are a big factor behind stock market boom

Sun, 19 May 2013 12:14:02 MDT

Buybacks are a big factor behind stock market boom

By BERNARD CONDON The Associated Press

Updated May 19, 2013 12:14PM MDT

New York • It’s the narcissist rally. Sure, there are plenty of forces pushing stocks higher — record corporate earnings, small investors finally buying again, signs the U.S. economy may be strengthening, central banks flooding the financial system with money. But you may want to spare a thought, and a healthy dose of worry, for what is one of the biggest, and least appreciated, reasons for the rally: buybacks. Flush with cash and a world of opportunity at their doorstep, companies have decided ...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Stocks rise on hopeful signs for the U.S. economy

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:40:24 MDT

Stocks rise on hopeful signs for the U.S. economy

By STEVE ROTHWELL The Associated Press

Updated May 17, 2013 10:40AM MDT

NEW YORK • Encouraging news about the U.S. economy helped push stock prices higher on Wall Street Friday. A gauge of future economic activity rose more than analysts had expected, as did a measure of consumer confidence, adding to evidence that the economy is maintaining a steady recovery. Stocks have surged to record levels this year on optimism about the economy and record corporate earnings. The market is also being supported by ongoing stimulus from the Federal Reserve, which is keeping long...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Krugman: Bernanke, blower of bubbles?

Sat, 11 May 2013 12:57:15 MDT

Krugman: Bernanke, blower of bubbles?

By PAUL KRUGMAN The New York Times

Updated May 11, 2013 12:57PM MDT

Bubbles can be bad for your financial health — and bad for the health of the economy, too. The dot-com bubble of the late 1990s left behind many vacant buildings and many more failed dreams. When the housing bubble of the next decade burst, the result was the greatest economic crisis since the 1930s — a crisis from which we have yet to emerge. So when people talk about bubbles, you should listen carefully and evaluate their claims — not scornfully dismiss them, which was the way many self-procla...

Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Stocks up and on path to strong week

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:09:02 MDT

Stocks up and on path to strong week

By BERNARD CONDON The Associated Press

Updated May 10, 2013 09:09AM MDT

New York • Stock indexes are mostly higher in early trading on Wall Street Friday and are on track to post solid gains for the week. The Dow Jones industrial average was moving between small gains and losses in the first hour of trading. It was down five points at 15,077 as of 10:31 a.m. Other indexes inched higher. The Dow is up 0.7 percent for the week and 15 percent so far this year. Prices for commodities including crude oil and gold fell sharply as the dollar continued to strengthen against...

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

From skeptic to oracle, 4 views on where stocks are headed next

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:18:03 MDT

From skeptic to oracle, 4 views on where stocks are headed next

the associated press

Updated May 8, 2013 06:18PM MDT

New York • The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 15,000 for the first time Tuesday and finished up nearly another 50 points on Wednesday. An improving outlook for the economy and record corporate earnings are persuading investors to buy stocks. Federal Reserve stimulus is also a big influence. The Dow has gained 15 percent this year. It has more than doubled since hitting a bottom at 6,547 on March 9, 2009 during the Great Recession. Broader indexes have gained, as well, here and abroad....

Stocks are little changed so far after record day of trading

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:42:26 MDT

Stocks are little changed so far after record day of trading

By STEVE ROTHWELL The Associated Press

Updated May 8, 2013 08:42AM MDT

NEW YORK • Stocks were little changed in early trading, keeping the Dow Jones industrial average above 15,000 a day after it closed above the landmark level for the first time. Markets have rallied this year, bolstered by encouraging economic data, record corporate earnings and ongoing support from central banks. So far, stocks have defied expectations that a sell-off would follow the spring surge. Internet company AOL plunged $4.39, or 10.7 percent, to $36.97 after the company reported earnings...

Dow closes above 15,000 for first time ever

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:42:43 MDT

Dow closes above 15,000 for first time ever

The Associated Press

Updated May 8, 2013 08:42AM MDT

New York • Just two months after recovering the last of its losses from the financial crisis, the Dow Jones industrial average charged higher Tuesday, closing above 15,000 for the first time. It was another milestone in the market’s epic ascent of 2013. Good economic reports, strong corporate earnings and fresh support from central banks have eased investors’ concerns about another economic slowdown. Many had been on the lookout for signs that a spring swoon would derail the rally, as happened ...