The Dow topped 9,000 for the first time since January as investors shrugged off a rise in jobless claims and cheered earnings from Ford and 3M. A third straight rise in existing-home sales also buoyed the market.

Stocks rallied Thursday as investors shrugged off a rise in jobless claims and focused on encouraging earnings from Ford and 3M. A third straight rise in existing-home sales also buoyed the market.

Futures indicated a slightly higher open for Wall Street Thursday ahead of another vast amount of earnings reports.

The Dow and S&P snapped their winning streaks Wednesday as disappointing earnings from two of Wall Street's biggest names overshadowed another round of earnings beats.

Stocks wobbled Wednesday as a slew of earnings beats, including one from Pfizer, were encouraging but disappointing reports from two of Wall Street's biggest names dragged on the market.

Stocks wobbled Wednesday as a slew of earnings beats, including one from Pfizer, were encouraging but disappointing reports from two of Wall Street's biggest names dragged on the market.

Futures indicated a lower open for Wall Street Wednesday as cautious words from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Yahoo's missing revenue expectations lent to investors taking profits.

The yen gained this week as the dollar's status as a global reserve currency came under scrutiny as China called for reform of the reserve currency system at a meeting of world leaders on Thursday. Experts tell CNBC the diversification debate will put pressure on the dollar in the long term.

Global stocks were lower Friday after Chevron's downbeat earnings outlook dragged oil prices and energy stocks down. Concerns about a global economic recovery have also dominated trade this week. Experts tell CNBC that the various stimulus packages have boosted the risk of defaults in developed economies.

Global stocks rose on Thursday as the first big U.S. earner out the box, Alcoa posted a smaller-than-expected second-quarter loss, leading basic resource stocks soaring. Experts tell CNBC now's the time to hold some high beta stocks.

Global stocks were down again on Wednesday as Group of Eight leaders make their way to Italy to discuss the global economic downturn and ahead of the Alcoa's earnings, the first of U.S. companies to report second-quarter results.

The Food and Drug Administration is focusing on a seldom-discussed side effect of the medications with acetaminophen: severe liver damage.

Kimberly-Clark said Thursday that it would cut about 1,600 salaried jobs, or roughly 3 percent of its workforce and take up to $150 million in charges as it tries to become more competitive in the recession.