US stock markets

Wall Street sign

The US markets can offer access to blue-chip stocks in sectors such as technology where the UK can be lacking. The best-known US indices are the S&P 500, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Recent articles (3)

The markets' sweet spot sours

(05 February 10)

The recession 'sweet spot' of 2009, which saw bad news keeping interest rates low and good news suggesting recovery, is no more. And recovery looks set to be sub-par for a long time.

World markets report

(01 February 10)

This morning in the UK, home loan approvals unexpectedly dropped in December for the first time in a year, according to Bank of England figures. Hometrack, meanwhile, said that home property values rose for a sixth month running in January – but by only 0.1%.

Obama's bank curbs mean uncertainty for markets

(29 January 10)

Barack Obama's surprise crackdown on banks last week was 'the last thing that world investors needed'. And with elections coming up on both sides of the Atlantic this year, there is still scope for more reforms.