US stocks gain on Bernanke optimism, retail sales

October 14th, 2009 Retail sales fall 1.5 percent in SeptemberWASHINGTON — Retail sales declined in September by the largest amount this year as car sales plummeted following the end of the government's popular Cash for Clunkers program. The Commerce Department says retail sales dropped 1.5 percent last month.

September 15th, 2009 Stocks rise on retail sales, manufacturing dataNEW YORK — Better news on retail sales and manufacturing helped send stocks higher Tuesday, as did comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the recession was probably over. Surging materials and industrial companies like Alcoa and Caterpillar pulled the Dow Jones industrial average to a gain of 57 points, its seventh climb in eight days and another high for the year.

September 3rd, 2009 Stocks move higher after jobs data, retail salesNEW YORK — Stocks moved higher in early trading Thursday, breaking a four-day losing streak after the latest reading on the jobs market and mixed retail sales reports. The moderate gains in stocks came as the Labor Department said the number of people filing for unemployment claims fell last week by 4,000 to 570,000.

August 14th, 2009 Correction: Story on retail sales and economyWASHINGTON — In an Aug. 13 story about July retail sales, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Wal-Mart Corp.'s second-quarter earnings fell.

August 13th, 2009 Retail sales unexpectedly dip 0.1 percent in JulyWASHINGTON — Retail sales outside of autos turned in a disappointing performance in July, underscoring concerns about the timing and durability of a recovery from the worst recession since World War II. The Commerce Department said Thursday that retail sales fell 0.1 percent last month.

August 13th, 2009 Stocks creep higher after jobs, retail dataNEW YORK — Stocks are pushing moderately higher after a better-than-expected earnings report from Wal-Mart helped to offset disappointing data on jobs and retail sales. Investors are hesitantly adding to Wednesday' big gains, which came after upbeat comments from the Federal Reserve.

August 13th, 2009 Stocks edge lower after jobs, retail dataNEW YORK — Stocks turned lower in early trading Thursday as disappointing reports on jobs and retail sales deflated some of investors' optimism about the economy. Investors sent the major indexes slightly higher at the opening, but stocks failed to hold on to the gains and extend Wednesday's big rally, which followed upbeat comments from the Federal Reserve.

August 5th, 2009 Euro retail sales fall 0.2 pct in JuneBRUSSELS — The European Union says retail sales in the 16 nations that use the euro fell 0.2 percent in June from a month earlier, showing that consumers are wary of spending as unemployment hits a 10-year high. Shoppers cut back spending both on daily essentials such as food, drink and tobacco and on non-food items such as clothing, electronics and medicines.

July 28th, 2009 Stocks fall modestly in early tradingNEW YORK — Stocks are falling modestly in early trading despite a better-than-expected report on retail sales. The U.S. market has risen sharply throughout the spring and summer on hopes of a recovery.

July 3rd, 2009 Euro zone retail sales down 0.4 percent in MayLONDON — Retail sales fell in May in the 16 countries that use the euro, in a further sign that consumers aren't optimistic about their future in the midst of a deep and widespread recession. Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, says retail sales in the euro zone fell by 0.4 percent from the previous month.

June 12th, 2009 NEW YORK - US stocks posted gains Thursday amid a drop in long-term borrowing costs, a rise in oil prices and improving US retail sales. The stock gains sent the Standard & Poor's 500 Index to its highest level of 2009.

June 11th, 2009 Retail sales climb 0.5 percent in MayWASHINGTON — Retail sales rose by the largest amount in four months in May, as a rebound in demand at auto dealerships and gas stations helped to offset continued weakness at department stores. The Commerce Department said Thursday retail sales increased by 0.5 percent last month, in line with economists' expectations.

May 14th, 2009 NEW YORK - The US stocks fell sharply as retail sales in the country dropped unexpectedly in April. The Commerce Department said Wednesday the retail sales dropped 0.4 percent in April for the second straight month, surprising analysts and signalling that the country's economic downturn continues to depress consumer demand.

May 13th, 2009 Weak retail sales send stocks lower; Dow off 170NEW YORK — Wall Street is falling sharply after the government reported weaker-than-expected retail sales in April. The market is putting a two-month rally on hold amid concern that an economic recovery won't come as fast as hoped.

May 6th, 2009 Oil creeps above $54 on economic recovery optimismSINGAPORE — Oil prices crept above $54 a barrel Wednesday in Asia as comments by the top U.S. central banker stoked investor optimism that economic growth and crude demand may pick up by the end of the year.