Reuters – U.S. stocks ended 2009 on Thursday with their best gains since 2003, driven by optimism about the economy’s recovery and a brighter outlook for profits. Related Reading:Stock Market Trends: Ho-Ho-No.Trading Earnings: Are You Ready for a Pillow Fight?Stock Market Trends: ba, ba, ba Bennie and the BearsStock Market Trends: Out Fishing for Sucker-FishStock [...]

Reuters – U.S. stocks ended 2009 on Thursday with their best gains since 2003, with optimism about the economy’s recovery pushing the benchmark Standard & Poor’s index up 23.5 percent for the year. Related Reading:Stock Market Trends: Ho-Ho-No.Trading Earnings: Are You Ready for a Pillow Fight?Stock Market Trends: ba, ba, ba Bennie and the BearsStock [...]

AP – The stock market has closed out a remarkable 2009 with a loss as investors bet the improving economy will lead the government to pull back on its stimulus measures. But stocks still managed their best year since 2003 as they recovered from the financial crisis and recession. Related Reading:Stock Market Trends: Ho-Ho-No.Trading Earnings: [...]

Tom Lydon (ETF Trends) submits: After some decent rallies in the markets and exchange traded funds investors have regained a fraction of their former wealth. But investors are still gripped with uncertainty and safe haven investments still have appeal. Health care and consumer staples are traditionally safe haven sectors in uncertain times, according to the [...]

Tom Lydon (ETF Trends) submits: Trading volume in stocks and exchange traded funds is light Thursday on the last trading day of the year, and the major indexes are trading lower. World stocks, however, ended the year on a high note. World stocks closed out 2009 higher, closing out a 9-month-long bull run in the [...]