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The US Department of Labor released news that its count of those filing jobless benefits increased 18,000, to 460,000 total, last week.  After glowing reports of a recovering economy, these numbers go to show how far recovery still has to go to get a completely healthy economy.  Economists had...

The Dow has continued to hover around the 11,000 mark, but have yet to break through.  The Dow, NASDAQ and S&P are down slightly to start the day (at the time of writing).  Crude oil prices are down as well, after hitting a 17-month high yesterday.  Yesterday, the Federal Reserve released the...

The Dow has continued to hover around the 11,000 mark, but have yet to break through.  The Dow, NASDAQ and S&P are down slightly to start the day (at the time of writing).  Crude oil prices are down as well, after hitting a 17-month high yesterday.  Yesterday, the Federal Reserve released the...

Despite investor apathy in the market yesterday as they awaited the release of the minutes of the Fed’s April 14 meeting, the S&P 500 Index moved up, driven by the US financial sector. The sector received a boost after regional banks got a lift from a positive comment made by Credit Suisse. The...

The Fed is releasing the minutes from its March meeting later this afternoon at 2 o’clock Eastern.  Investors will then pour over the language used to describe the economy and, from this, determine whether the Fed plans to adjust interest rates in the future.  As always when it comes to Bernake’s...

The Fed is releasing the minutes from its March meeting later this afternoon at 2 o’clock Eastern.  Investors will then pour over the language used to describe the economy and, from this, determine whether the Fed plans to adjust interest rates in the future.  As always when it comes to Bernake’s...

Alcoa (AA) officially kicks off earnings season with its numbers release due out on April 12 this year. However, other key earnings reports starting this week will include Bed, Bath and Beyond (BBBY), Monsanto (MON), Family Dollar Stores (FDO) and Salesforce.com (CRM), amongst others. These...

Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!  The market has reacted today to Friday’s positive job growth news by popping up early this morning, and the Dow continues to close in on 11,000.  Pending home sales in America were also up for February, despite snowstorms shutting down much of the US...

Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!  The market has reacted today to Friday’s positive job growth news by popping up early this morning, and the Dow continues to close in on 11,000.  Pending home sales in America were also up for February, despite snowstorms shutting down much of the US...

According to an article on CNBC, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) has come out as the most admired US company, as the world emerges from the financial crisis. The whole credit of this goes to BRK-A’s CEO, whose "humility and sense of accountability" has seen the company through...

Analysts at Deutsche Bank downgrade Genworth (NYSE: GNW) from “buy” to “hold.” Shares of GNW closed at $18.45 on Thursday. More Analyst Ratings here.

WellPoint Inc. (NYSE: WLP) has gained ground over the past several months after a sharp plunge from its early-2008 highs. With the healthcare legislation overhaul in its final stages in Washington, we’ve seen a bit of the “buy the rumor, sell the news” phenomenon … in reverse. Following months,...

American International Group (NYSE: AIG) has missed paying preferred stock dividend for four quarters. Consequently, the US government has appointed two new directors to its board. According to Marketwatch, these new directors are Former E-Trade (NASDAQ: ETFC) Financial chief executive Donald...

Not much news on this Good Friday for our Market Update, so in the spirit of the holiday weekend we ask that you, our loyal readers, forgive our abridged version of the market update.  First in the news is the story that’s making everyone smile.  According to the Labor Department, the United States...