Highlights
May 16, 2011
Soft economic data together with disappointing sales from home-improvement chain Lowe's weighed on the Dow which fell nearly 1/2 percent to 12,548. Empire State data point to slowing for the manufacturing sector this month while data from the nation's home builders point to continued stagnation for the new home market. Oil softened to $97 with gold steady above $1,490.