United States

The Dow leapt 229 points on earnings reports from Google and Citigroup, while oil closed at US$117/bbl.

Mixed earnings results left the Dow unch last night as yet again Wall Street has failed to push ahead after a big rally. Commodities likewise.

Some earnings reports that didn’t disappoint and another benign CPI conspired to send the Dow up 250, the greenback to hell, and commodity prices to the moon once more.

Now that we’re all agreed – definition or no definition – that the US is in a recession, the next step is to decide whether it will be short, long, deep or shallow.

It was up, down and all around for a 60 point gain last night on data, earnings and new record oil.

The Dow closed down 23 points last night as one of the big commercial banks reported greater than expected losses.

Falling house prices and interest rates mean US housing affordability has improved significantly in recent months but Westpac suggests a turnaround in sentiment remains the key.

The Dow fell 256 points on Friday following a poor result from Dow icon General Electric.

Mixed messages had the Dow rocking and rolling its way to a 54 point rise.

A new record for oil, a near record for copper, and a big move in aluminium were highlights in a session that saw the Dow down 49.