November housing starts are up 9% from October. Energy and metals stocks lead the market higher. Nike earnings cheer investors; Oracle disappoints. AT&T moves up after T-Mobile breakup.
Prices climb as Greece nixes plans for a nationwide referendum and as the European Central Bank eases monetary policy.
Financial markets globally slump after Greece talks about holding a referendum on its debt bailout. Bank stocks sag; Bank of America junks its debit-card fee. Commodities tumble after the failure of MF Global. October auto sales underwhelm.
Prices remain at the mercy of currency volatility, slipping slightly Wednesday as the greenback staged a late rally.
Alcoa also sees economic weakness in Europe and Asia. Slovakia rejects expanding Europe's bailout fund. The Dow slips, but technology shares help the S&P 500 and Nasdaq end higher. Apple tops $400. Gold moves lower, but crude is higher.
Prices settle higher after the European Central Bank and the Bank of England leave interest rates unchanged.
Analysts don't foresee home prices returning to their 2007 levels until 2020, and that's the optimistic view.
Prices bounce back from Wednesday's sell-off as jittery investors look for protection amid economic uncertainty.
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