KX News: Business News

McDonald's US sales figure edges down in January

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:28:00 GMT

McDonald's Inc. says a key sales comparison edged down in the U.S. in January, but results were stronger in the rest of the world. Sales in stores open at least 13 months fell 0.7 percent in the U.S. They rose 4.3 percent in Europe, Asia/Pacific

Molson Coors' 4Q profit rises on tax benefits

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:07:00 GMT

Molson Coors says its fourth-quarter profit more than doubled because of favorable tax benefits even as it sold fewer beers. Worldwide beer volume sold fell 4 percent as people cut back on their purchases. Higher prices helped drive an 11 percen

CocaCola 4Q profit rises on strong overseas sales

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:07:00 GMT

Coca-Cola says its fourth-quarter profit climbed as the world's largest drink maker sold 5 percent more beverages worldwide. Coca-Cola Co. says its unit case volume rose in emerging markets like China and India, and also saw solid growth in Lati

Online ad improvement seen in IAC's 4Q loss

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:46:00 GMT

Internet company IAC/InterActiveCorp says it lost $1 billion in the fourth quarter because it had to write down the value of its search business. Its results beat analyst expectations, however, and indicated some improvement in the online advertising

Pulte Homes posts loss for Q4

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:32:00 GMT

Pulte Homes Inc. says its loss narrowed in its fourth quarter, as the homebuilder reported heavy charges that were partly offset by a tax gain. The company said Tuesday it lost $116.9 million, or 31 cents a share, in the quarter. That compares w

Stock futures climb ahead of opening

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:57:00 GMT

Stock futures are pointing to a higher open as hopes grow the European Union will provide Greece with some support for its mounting debt burden. Stocks have been tumbling in recent weeks the Dow Jones industrial average closed Monday below 10,0

Dow under 10,000...Toyota in the spotlight...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:43:00 GMT

Wall Street will open today with the Dow Jones industrials under 10,000 for the first time in three months. Concerns about debt problems in several European countries get the bulk of the blame. The Dow was off 104 points yesterday, the S&P 500

URGENT

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:26:00 GMT

General Motors Co.'s Opel unit says it plans to invest euro11 billion ($15 billion) through 2014 and will cut 8,300 jobs across Europe as it seeks to streamline its operation. Chef Executive Nick Reilly said as he presented Opel's restructuring

EU government bank says no bailout for Greece

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:05:00 GMT

The European Union's government-backed lender says it cannot bail out Greece or any other European country that can't pay its debts. The European Investment Bank said in a statement Tuesday that it could "only finance economically viable project

Update on the latest in business:

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:16:00 GMT

Wall Street begins trading today with the Dow Jones industrials below 10,000 for the first time in three months. Financial stocks pulled the market lower yesterday as mounting debt problems in several weaker European economies raised new questio

Opel to unveil restructuring plan

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:27:00 GMT

General Motors Co.'s Opel unit plans to detail its restructuring plan for the European automaker on Tuesday. The company says Chief Executive Nick Reilly will present his plan for its future in Frankfurt. Reilly said last month that Opel pl

Nissan returns to profit in OctDec quarter

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:52:00 GMT

Japanese carmaker Nissan says it returned to the black during the October-December quarter, and now projects a profit for the full fiscal year. Nissan said Tuesday it had a 44.97 billion yen ($502 million) net profit in its fiscal third quarter,

SAS to seek $670 million in new rights issue

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:45:00 GMT

Scandinavian airline group SAS says it plans to raise 5 billion kronor ($670 million) from shareholders in a new rights issue. The troubled company also says it aims to cut costs by 2 billion kronor by expanding its savings package. SAS sa

Albany firm CEO charged with securities fraud

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:03:00 GMT

The president of an Albany investment firm is accused of selling fraudulent securities to investors across the country. Christopher Bass appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Homer on a felony charge of securities fraud on Monday and was h

Neb. Democrat joins GOP to oppose labor nominee

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:07:00 GMT

Nebraska's Democratic senator says he will join Republicans in opposing a union lawyer's nomination to serve on the National Labor Relations Board. Sen. Ben Nelson is the first Democrat to come out against the nomination of Craig Becker. His dec

(New YorkAP) Here are mutual fund indexes provided by Lipper Analytical Se...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:44:00 GMT

(New York-AP) Here are mutual fund indexes provided by Lipper Analytical Services. All changes are on a percentage basis. IndexesCloseDly ChgWeek ChgYtd Chg Balanced Fund 5921.24 - .52 - 1.96 - 2.81 Corporate A-Rate

Dow below 10,000...Energy prices rise...Chip secret discovered...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:27:00 GMT

The Dow has closed below 10,000 for the first time in three months, as mounting debt in several European economies raised new questions about the health of the global financial system. The Dow ended the day down 104 at 9,908. The S&P 500 was off

Biggest Boeing 747 ever takes to the sky

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:52:00 GMT

The biggest plane Boeing Co. has ever built takes off on its first flight. The 747-8 freighter lifted off from Paine Field in Everett on Monday one day short of the 41st anniversary of the first flight of the first 747 model. The 747-8 is

Hartford Financial's 4Q profit beats estimates

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:52:00 GMT

Insurer Hartford Financial Services Group says it was profitable in the fourth quarter as its life and property-casualty businesses both improved. The Hartford, Conn.-based insurer earned $557 million, or $1.19 per share in the final three month

NEW YORK (AP) Cotton futures No. 2 closed $9.65 to $12.95 a...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:45:00 GMT

Cotton futures No. 2 closed $9.65 to $12.95 a bale higher Monday. The average price for strict low middling 1 & 1-16 inch spot cotton was unavailable Monday for the seven markets, according to the Market News Branch, Memphis USDA.

Electronic Arts posts smaller loss, outlook poor

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:38:00 GMT

Electronic Arts Inc. is showing a smaller net loss in its last quarter even though its video game sales declined. On an adjusted basis, the publisher of games like "Madden" earned a profit slightly above analysts' muted expectations. But the com

AMLS830

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:38:00 GMT

Amarillo, TX Mon Feb 08, 2010 USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News Daily Livestock Summary CATTLE Direct Trade: In the direct slaughter cattle trade in the Five Major Marketing Areas, Texas/Oklaho

AMLS830

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:38:00 GMT

Amarillo, TX Mon Feb 08, 2010 USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News Daily Livestock Summary CATTLE Direct Trade: In the direct slaughter cattle trade in the Five Major Marketing Areas, Texas/Oklaho

AMLS830

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:24:00 GMT

Amarillo, TX Mon Feb 08, 2010 USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News Daily Livestock Summary CATTLE Direct Trade: In the direct slaughter cattle trade in the Five Major Marketing Areas, Texas/Oklaho

AMLS830

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:24:00 GMT

Amarillo, TX Mon Feb 08, 2010 USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News Daily Livestock Summary CATTLE Direct Trade: In the direct slaughter cattle trade in the Five Major Marketing Areas, Texas/Oklaho

NEW YORK (AP) Cotton No. 2 Futures on the

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 09:17:00 GMT

IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) Monday: .. Open High Low Settle Chg. COTTON 2 50,000 lbs.; cents per lb. Mar 67.10 69.54 67.10 69.16 UP 2.54 May 69.00 71.01 68.71 70.76 UP 2.

CHICAGO (AP) Futures trading on the Chicago Board of Trade...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:28:00 GMT

Futures trading on the Chicago Board of Trade Mon.: .. Open High Low Settle Chg. WHEAT 5,000 bu minimum; cents per bushel Mar 484 489 476 1/4 484 UP 10 3/4 May 498 1/2 503 1/4

Oil higher

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:28:00 GMT

Crude oil futures prices ended higher on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The near-month contract for the benchmark grade rose 70 cents closing at $71.89 a barrel. (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP

US to commit $78.5B to try to halt Asian carp

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:14:00 GMT

The Obama administration says it will spend $78.5 million to halt the giant Asian carp, which officials fear could spread and possibly endanger the Great Lakes region's $7 billion fishing industry. Federal officials say they'll consider opening

Judge puts SEC on defensive at NYC hearing on deal

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:14:00 GMT

A judge has put a Securities and Exchange Commission lawyer on the defensive over a settlement resolving civil charges that accused Bank of America of misleading investors when it acquired Merrill Lynch. Federal Judge Jed Rakoff read aloud at a

Toyota resale values lowered by Kelley Blue Book

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:07:00 GMT

The Blue Book value of used Toyotas has been reduced again as the Japanese carmaker's troubles persist. Kelley Blue Book said Monday it was lowering the resale value of recalled Toyotas for the second time in less than a week. That leaves the ca

k6402 ap NEW YORK (AP) Spot nonferrous metal prices Mon. Aluminum ...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:46:00 GMT

Spot nonferrous metal prices Mon. Aluminum - $0.8835 per lb., London Metal Exch. Copper -$2.8309 Cathode full plate, LME. Copper $2.9095 N.Y. Merc spot Mon. Lead - $1924.50 metric ton, London Metal Exch. Zinc - $0.8983 per l

Italy minister defends boost for McDonald's burger

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:46:00 GMT

Italy's agriculture minister is defending his sponsorship of McDonald's new all-Italian burger amid criticism that he is selling out to a multinational and sacrificing Italy's culinary reputation in the process. Minister Luca Zaia has argued tha

Stocks little changed... Report: Prius recall...Toyota before...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:18:00 GMT

Stocks have been trading in a narrow range today. Investors remain wary about the strength of the economic recovery and mounting debt in Europe. The Dow has been in mostly negative territory, trading below 10,0000 for the first time since November.

Minn. exec to be sentenced March 10 in Ponzi fraud

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:54:00 GMT

Minnesota businessman Tom Petters is scheduled to be sentenced March 10 on his conviction for orchestrating a $3.65 billion Ponzi scheme. U.S. District Judge Richard Kyle set the date in an order Monday. Petters was convicted in December o

Minn. exec to be sentenced March 10 in Ponzi fraud

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:47:00 GMT

Wheat was higher.

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:47:00 GMT

Corn was higher. Oats were higher. Soybeans were higher. Hog prices were steady. St. Joseph, Mo., estimates 250 slaughter cattle on offer this morning, but not available early. dash Today's estimated c

JOGR110

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:33:00 GMT

Portland, OR Mon Feb 08, 2010 USDA Market News Portland Daily Grain Report Bids as of 9:30 a.m.; Subject to change Bids for grains delivered to Portland, Oregon during February by rail or barge, in dollars per bushel, except oats,

HHS secretary asks insurer to justify rate hike

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:33:00 GMT

The Obama administration is asking Anthem Blue Cross to justify its plans to raise health insurance premiums by as much as 39 percent for customers in California. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent a letter to the company

k6401 ap NEW YORK (AP) Spot nonferrous metal prices Mon. Aluminum ...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:26:00 GMT

Spot nonferrous metal prices Mon. Aluminum - $0.8835 per lb., London Metal Exch. Copper -$2.8309 Cathode full plate, LME. Copper $2.8540 N.Y. Merc spot Fri. Lead - $1924.50 metric ton, London Metal Exch. Zinc - $0.8983 per l

Stocks trade mixed as European debt woes remain

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:58:00 GMT

Stocks are mixed as investors remain wary about the strength of the economic recovery and mounting debt in Europe. The market's major indexes are holding to a tight range and are nearly unchanged at midday Monday. Concerns are growing that

SJLS830

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:44:00 GMT

St. Joseph, MO Mon Feb 08, 2010 USDA-MO Dept Ag Market News MORNING FARM PRICES: Compared to last week, St. Joseph, MO barrows and gilts sold steady. Terminal Supply Trend Weight Pct Lean Price Range St. J

BPA forecasting revenue loss from dry weather

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:44:00 GMT

The Bonneville Power Administration says the El Nino weather pattern has forced it to cut its hydropower revenue forecast this year by more than $230 million. The regional power marketing agency says the unusually dry weather in the Northwest me

CHICAGO (AP) Early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade Mon.:...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:55:00 GMT

Early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade Mon.: .. Open High Low Last Chg. WHEAT 5,000 bu minimum; cents per bushel Mar 479 1/4 483 1/4 476 1/4 482 1/2 UP 9 1/4 May 493 1/2 498

FairPoint plan would slash debt by twothirds

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:55:00 GMT

The debt load of telecommunications provider FairPoint Communications Inc. will be cut by nearly two-thirds under its bankruptcy reorganization plan. The document filed Monday calls for FairPoint's debt to be reduced to about $1 billion from nea

Stocks fall moderately...Senate jobs bill... CVS profits up...

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:27:00 GMT

Stocks fell moderately in early trading as investors remain concerned about the strength of the economic recovery and mounting debt concerns in Europe. In morning trading, the Dow has dipped below the 10,000 level. WASHINGTON (AP) Senator Cha

Nasdaq OMX profit grows even as revenue falls

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:27:00 GMT

Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. says its fourth-quarter profit rose 23 percent on lower impairment charges and taxes at the global exchange operator compared with a year ago. But Nasdaq OMX Group's revenue fell as the exchange operator faces increasing ma

Wall Street Broadcast

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:13:00 GMT

Here are the ten most active Big Board issues at this time Citigroup unchanged 3.220 SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust down .140 106.520 Bank of America Corp

Stocks fall as European debt concerns remain

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:45:00 GMT

Stocks fell moderately in early trading as investors remain wary about the strength of the economic recovery and mounting debt concerns in Europe. Major indexes have been on a roller coaster lately as investors try to determine whether a nascent

US magazine circulation falls 2.2 pct in late 2009

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:38:00 GMT

Circulation for U.S. magazines slipped more than 2 percent in the second half of 2009. A new report also finds that single-copy sales, which are more lucrative for publishers, dropped more than 9 percent. With the weak economy still putting a da

UN patent filings dropped in 2009

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:14:00 GMT

The U.N. says the number of international patent filings dropped last year for the first time since 1978 as companies hit by the global economic downturn sought fewer new protections on their intellectual property. The World Intellectual Propert

Lorillard 4Q profit falls, tops analysts' views

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:53:00 GMT

Lorillard says its fourth-quarter profit fell as the maker of Newport cigarettes faced higher manufacturing costs and other expenses. The nation's third-largest cigarette company says its earnings dropped 6 percent to $242 million, or $1.52 per

CVS Caremark 4Q profit grows 11 percent

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:32:00 GMT

CVS Caremark Corp. says its profit rose 11 percent in the fourth quarter as results improved for its pharmacy benefits management business, which has lost billions in contracts for the new year. The Woonsocket, R.I., company, says it earned $1.0

Stocks narrowly mixed ahead of market open

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:04:00 GMT

Stock futures are trading in a narrow range after a roller-coaster performance last week that saw major indexes decline for the fourth consecutive week. Traders are grappling with concerns that some European countries might not be able to rein i

Hasbro 4Q profit rises on sales of boys' products

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:04:00 GMT

Hasbro says sales of action figures and other toys aimed at boys and strong entertainment and licensing revenue helped push its fourth-quarter profit sharply higher. The No. 2 U.S. toy maker also gave a solid 2010 forecast, saying sales and earn

Wall St.'s fourth losing week...Senate deals with jobs bill...

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:36:00 GMT

Investors are hoping this will be the week Wall Street ends its losing trend. Last week was its fourth straight losing week. Friday was mixed a Labor Department report showed jobless rate that fell to 9.7 percent in January, but investors also feare

White House meeting to deal with Asian carp threat

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:16:00 GMT

Eds: APNewsNow. Will be led. Moving on general news and financial services. By The Associated Press Three governors will meet with President Barack Obama's chief science adviser Monday in Washington to discuss strategy for preventing Asian carp f

Update on the latest in business:

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:55:00 GMT

Investors are hoping this will be the week Wall Street ends its losing trend. Last week was its fourth straight losing week. The stock market had a fractious Friday fueled by a Labor Department report showed jobless rate that fell to 9.7 percent

Marshals seek deadly Conn. gas plant blast's cause

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:48:00 GMT

Connecticut fire marshals are preparing to start their investigation into an explosion that rocked an under-construction power plant where natural-gas lines were being tested, killing at least five people. A dozen or more others were hurt in Sun

AMLS830

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:06:00 GMT

Amarillo, TX Fri Feb 05, 2010 USDA Market News Daily Livestock Summary CATTLE Direct Trade: In the direct slaughter cattle trade in the Five Major Marketing Areas, Texas/Oklahoma; Kansas; Nebraska;

India: Growth to hit 7.2 pct for year ending March

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:07:00 GMT

India says economic growth will hit 7.2 percent for the fiscal year ending March, up from 6.7 percent the previous year. The government says strong industrial expansion has helped compensate for shrinking agricultural output due to drought.

Average gas prices down 5.76 cents nationwide

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:25:00 GMT

The average price of regular gasoline in the United States fell 5.76 cents over a two-week period to $2.67. That's according to the national Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday. Analyst Trilby Lundberg says the average price for

URGENT

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:18:00 GMT

Multiple people have died in an explosion at a power plant in Connecticut and an unknown number of people are injured. Al Santostefano, the deputy fire marshal in Middletown, tells The Associated Press the explosion happened at 11:17 a.m. Sunday

Gas explosion, fire at power plant in Conn.

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:47:00 GMT

Police are reporting a gas explosion and fire at a power plant in Connecticut. Several ambulances and fire trucks responded to the explosion on at the Kleen Energy Systems plant in Middletown on Sunday, and witnesses say black smoke was visible

'Dear John' bumps 'Avatar' with $32.4M debut

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:26:00 GMT

A sci-fi love story has given way to an earthbound romance at the weekend box office. "Dear John" debuted as the No. 1 movie with $32.4 million, knocking off the blockbuster "Avatar" after seven weekends in first place. Adapted from Nichol

Israel on schedule to inaugurate electric car grid

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:24:00 GMT

The developers of a new electric vehicle say Israel is on schedule to inaugurate a revolutionary electric car grid by next year, with dozens of recharge stations and thousands of cars on the road. The California-based company Better Place hopes

Boeing says 7478 freighter's taxi tests went well

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:18:00 GMT

Boeing Co. says taxi tests on its giant 747-8 freighter went well, and the new plane should make its first flight on Monday. The company says the plane performed well during the tests at Paine Field in Everett on Saturday, reaching a top speed o

Jury: Bayer must pay $1.5M to AK, MS rice farmers

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:43:00 GMT

A federal court jury in Ar[[kxtopic:kansas:t[Kansas]:t]] says the German conglomerate Bayer CropScience should pay $1.5 million to farmers in that state and Mississippi whose rice seed was contaminated with a genetically altered strain. Friday's

Boeing 7478 freighter makes taxi tests

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:44:00 GMT

Boeing Co. is conducting taxi tests on its giant 747-8 freighter, the final step before the new plane makes its first flight. The company says results of the Saturday afternoon tests will determine whether the plane the largest aircraft Boeing

Prairie City, SD, residents want post office back

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:37:00 GMT

Prairie City residents have filed a complaint with the Postal Regulatory Commission to get their post office reopened. A petition in support of the rural Perkins County post office, bearing 69 signatures, was filed Wednesday. Ruby and Herm

Prius fix promised...Another losing week...Gas prices up...

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:08:00 GMT

Toyota says it's coming up with a fix for its latest problem, balky brakes on Prius hybrids. It's telling dealers it will have more details next week. The automaker blames the problem on a software glitch and says it has already fixed vehicles in pro

Toyota preparing to announce Prius fix next week

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:02:00 GMT

Toyota is preparing a plan to repair the brakes on thousands of hybrid Prius cars. In a message sent Friday night to dealers, Toyota said it will disclose the decision early next week. More than 100 drivers have said their brakes momentaril

Judge: Pratt can't move jobs out of Conn.

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:07:00 GMT

A federal judge in Connecticut has sided with a Machinists union in its legal fight to block jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney from moving 1,000 jobs out of the state. U.S. District Judge Janet Hall issued a permanent injunction Friday, stop

Seattle Times renegotiates debt, is 'here to stay'

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:26:00 GMT

The Seattle Times says it's solved a major financial issue and won't be going out of business any time soon. Publisher Frank Blethen and three other Blethen family members announced Friday on the paper's Web site that the Times has renegotiated

Madoff brother and sons agree to asset freeze

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:26:00 GMT

Bernard Madoff's brother, sons and a niece, accused in a lawsuit of using the family finance business like a "piggy bank," have agreed to an asset freeze. The deal with court-appointed trustee Irving Picard was described in a document filed Frid

Plant in Alabama stops taking coal ash drainage

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:26:00 GMT

The Tennessee Valley Authority's cleanup of a massive 2008 coal ash spill at its Kingston plant has hit a snag 500 miles away, in Alabama. Liquid Environmental Solutions, a wastewater processing company in Mobile, Ala., on Friday stopped accepti

(New YorkAP) Here are mutual fund indexes provided by Lipper Analytical Se...

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:44:00 GMT

(New York-AP) Here are mutual fund indexes provided by Lipper Analytical Services. All changes are on a percentage basis. IndexesCloseDly ChgWeek ChgYtd Chg Balanced Fund 5952.03 - .01 - .61 - 2.31 Corporate A-Rate

URGENT

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:02:00 GMT

Regulators have shut down a small bank in Minnesota, bringing to 16 the number of bank failures so far in 2010 following the 140 brought down last year by rising loan defaults and the recession. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday took

Goldman CEO Blankfein gets $9M stock bonus for 09

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:27:00 GMT

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. CEO Lloyd Blankfein is getting a $9 million stock bonus for 2009. The bank said in a securities filing Friday that Blankfein will receive more than 58,000 shares of restricted stock. Blankfein can't cash in the shares fo

Wall St. narrowly mixed..Obama on jobs...Oil prices down...

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:13:00 GMT

The stock market ended a fractious day narrowly mixed and suffering its fourth straight losing week. Stocks fell sharply for much of the day's trading. The Dow, which was down nearly 170 in the afternoon, closed up 10 points. Fueling the day's moveme