Tech shares increase on Wall Street

U.S. stocks sank in a thinly traded session Wednesday as weakness in the technology sector dragged the market lower.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) was down 47 points, or 0.4%, in afternoon trading. The S&P 500 (SPX) eased 5 points, or less than 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite (COMP) fell 27 points, or [...]

How Stocks and the Stock Market Work

­The stock market appears in the news every day. Obviously, stocks and the stock market are important, but you may find that you know very little about them. What is a stock? What is a stock market? Why do we need a stock market? Where does the stock come from to begin with, and why [...]

US Government takes over mortgage giants

By Martin Crutsinger and Alan Zibel, AP Business Writers
US Government seizes control of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration’s seizure of troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is potentially a $200 billion bet that it will help reverse a prolonged housing and credit crisis.
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The historic move [...]