Stocks, European Debt | featured news

Industrial and technology stocks pulled the market sharply higher Tuesday after Boeing Co. said it was boosting production and an industry group forecast that demand for computers would increase.

U.S. stocks edged higher, bolstered by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's comments that the economy is unlikely to slide into a second recession, but worries about European finances persisted after Fitch Ratings warned that the U.K. faces budget challenges.

Stocks plummeted across the Asia-Pacific region on Monday and the euro hit fresh four-year lows on renewed fears that the European debt crisis may be spreading.

Stocks tumbled Friday after the Labor Department said hiring remains weak and Hungary became the latest European country to report its economy is in crisis.

Fitch cut Spain’s credit rating, saying that the country’s debt will probably weigh on the country’s growth.

Shares rose in Europe and on Wall Street as markets calmed. Gold, however, hit a record amid efforts to defend European countries from sovereign default.

U.S. stocks gained, as rising commodity prices boosted energy stocks, concerns about European governments' debt loads eased and data showed a brightening outlook for New York area manufacturing.

The Dow Jones industrial average jumped back above 10,000 on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden.

Asian stocks tumbled Friday as ballooning European debt and a rise in U.S. unemployment claims added to fears the global recovery could slip back into recession....