Wall Street hesitates, awaits clearer economic picture

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

NEW YORK (AFP) — With Wall Street investors hesitant, fresh data in the coming week could help provide a clearer picture of whether the US economy is in recovery mode or an extended downward spiral.

Inconsistent reports in the past week contributed to volatility on the stock market, leaving the main indexes mixed.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average of 30 blue-chip shares fell 1.09 percent in the week to Friday, to end at 11,370.69, while the broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index lost a modest 0.23 percent to 1,257.76.

The technology-laden Nasdaq composite meanwhile rose 1.22 percent for the week to 2,310.53.

The market saw choppy trade in recent sessions, lifted by lower crude oil prices and hints of an economic rebound, but falling back on...