Stocks surge; Hewlett-Packard leads Dow higher

Encouraging signs from two of the most important zones of the world economy, the powerhouse of China and the debt-burdened countries of Europe, drove the U.S. stock market Thursday to one of its best days this year.

Wall Street slips on global growth worry (Reuters)

Reuters - Stocks fell slightly on Wednesday after a downgrade of Portugal's credit rating, China's interest rate rise and a soft report on the U.S. services sector sparked jitters about global growth prospects.

Stocks mixed in early going; Obama unveils budget (AP)

AP - Stocks are mixed in early trading, the same day that President Obama plans to formally unveil his budget proposal for the next fiscal year.

Merck, materials companies drag Wall St lower (Reuters)

Reuters - Stocks edged lower on Thursday, hurt by a slide in drugmaker Merck and as falling commodities prices hit shares of natural resource companies.

Merck, materials companies drag Wall Street lower (Reuters)

Reuters - Stocks edged lower on Thursday, hurt by a slide in drugmaker Merck and as falling commodities prices hit shares of natural resource companies.