Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

U.S. stocks closed with modest gains as consumer confidence data was stronger than expected and investors eyed further progress on a solution to Europe’s fiscal mess. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up 32.62 points, or 0.28%, to 11,555.63. The S&P 500 rose 2.64 points, or 0.22%, to 1,195.19. The Nasdaq Composite fell 11.83 points,…

Stocks opened little changed on Tuesday ahead of a meeting of European finance ministers on the region’s credit crisis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average latelyrose 35.80 points to 11,558.81. The S&P 500 Index was up 4.18 points at 1,196.73. The Nasdaq Composite gained 4.51 points to 2,531.85. U.S. home prices took a fall in September,…

U.S. stocks surged on Monday following reports of strong Black Friday weekend sales and amid optimism that European leaders may be working toward a solution to the continent’s debt crisis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 291.23 points, or 2.59%, to 11,523.01. The S&P 500 rallied 33.88 points, or 2.92%, to 1,192.55. The Nasdaq Composite…

Stocks opened sharply higher on Monday as Europe planned to leverage a regional rescue fund and evidence U.S. holiday sales got off to a record start. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately added 265.99 points to 11,523.54. The S&P 500 Index climbed 34.25 pints to 1,192.92. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 77.81 points to 2,519.32.…

U.S. stocks finished modestly lower on Friday, ending the worst week in two months, as the lack of a credible solution to Europe’s debt crisis kept investors away from risky assets. The Dow Industrials fell 25.61 points, or 0.23%, to trade at 11,231.94. The S&P 500 was off 3.12 points, or 0.27%, to 1,158.67. The…

Stocks rose in early trading on Friday, as millions of Americans hit shopping malls across the nation to take advantage of deals offered by retailers on the traditional starting day of the holiday-shopping season. The Dow Industrials lately gained 60.25 points, or 0.54%, to trade at 11,317.80. The S&P 500 rose 6.45 points, or 0.56%,…

n Thanksgiving Thursday, people working in Europe’s financial sector are struggling to find much to be thankful for.  A failed German bond auction has finally brought home to Europeans the realization that nowhere is safe. France pressed Germany on Thursday to let the European Central Bank act decisively to halt a stampede out of euro…