NEW YORK CITY

The stock market fell in earnest after the Conference Board reported an unexpectedly sharp decline in consumer confidence. Before the report, the market was also weighed by gloomy news from Europe.

Harvard University's endowment is looking to sell a portion of its $5 billion real estate portfolio to reduce its exposure to the troubled property market, the Wall Street Journal said.

U.S. stocks edged lower in morning trading on Thursday as European leaders today still have not yet confirmed a specific plan to bailout Greece.

U.S. stock indices are mixed in morning trading, as investors digest the results of the G7 meeting and continue to monitor the Greek sovereign debt situation.

After declining for most of the day on continued worries of contagion from Greece's sovereign debt and a disappointing nonfarm payrolls report, U.S. stocks staged a comeback around 2:00 pm to close higher, led by commodities firms.

Top U.S. retail chains ended their fiscal year with better-than-expected January sales, but the current first quarter could be tougher if consumers overspent during the holiday season.

(Corrected to remove incorrect reference in 17th paragraph to Wet Seal's sales missing expectations)

January sales at top U.S. retailers moved into positive territory from last year's decline as many chains avoided drastic clearance sales and shoppers redeemed holiday gift cards.

(Corrected to remove incorrect reference in 17th paragraph to Wet Seal's sales missing expectations)

Stocks mostly fell on Wednesday as Pfizer's disappointing outlook weighed on the health sector, and President Obama's pledge to complete banking and healthcare reform revived fears of increased regulation.

The stock market ended lower on Wednesday, snapping a two day rally while the dollar reversed its two day slide.

Even the most creative media executives would have been hard pressed a year ago to conjure up a world of solid profits, soaring stock prices and cash stockpiles big enough to support higher dividend payouts.

After a two day rally, the stock market is struggling on Wednesday with a slight decline in morning trading as mixed economic data is released.

Semiconductor company Microchip Technology Inc said it would buy flash chip maker Silicon Storage Technology for about $273 million in cash and reported third quarter results which beat market expectations.

The stock market continued its rally to close for a gain on Tuesday despite a fall in banking sector shares ahead of testimony from White House advisor Paul Volcker.

U.S. stocks rose on Monday in mid-day trading after manufacturers reported better than expected earnings this morning.

Global stock markets shook off declines early in the Asian session as commodities firms lead the rally.

New York's famed Bloomingdale's department store opened its doors in the Middle East's biggest mall on Sunday in its first foray outside its home market.

Citigroup has increased its stake in a Chilean financial firm that controls the country's No. 2 bank, Banco de Chile, in an operation worth $513 million, the firm's parent company said on Friday.

Real estate tycoon Donald Trump is considering whether to either buy or manage Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village housing complex in Manhattan, the New York Post reported.

Macy's Inc said it is cutting some store-level jobs and adding others as part of its efforts to standardize how it manages stores and staffing.