The major US equity indices closed lower Monday on the last day of trading in April, with the Dow Jones having its longest seven-month winning streak since 2007. This as the commerce department reports consumer spending and a slew of more corporate earnings. The Commerce Department released its consumer spending report this morning, saying Americans saved more in the month of March.

The major US equity indices closed higher Thursday on positive economic news and a huge settlement deal with big banks. US States have finally reached a deal with the nation’s biggest mortgage lenders over foreclosure abuses that occurred back in 2008. The $25 billion settlement would reduce loans for nearly 1 million households and would send checks of $2000 to about a quarter of a million Americans who were improperly foreclosed upon. The five major banks involved in the settlement include Bank of America (NYSE:BAC), JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC), Citigroup (NYSE:C), and Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY). The number of Americans filing first-time jobless claims dropped by 15000 last week – to 358000 from 373000 the week prior – and are at an all-time low since March of 2008

Themajor US equity indices closed mixed Friday as US gross domestic product in the fourth quarter 2011 proved to be the strongest of the year with the economy extended at a 2.8% annualized pace. In corporate news, Ford (NYSE:F) reported Q4 EPS of $0.20, well below estimates of $0.25. The company reported Q4 revenues of $34.6 billion, beating estimates of $33.51 billion. While Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) reported Q2 EPS of $1.10, topping consensus estimates of $1.08. Revenues in the quarter came in at $22.14 billion vs.

Good Afternoon, I’m Mari Fagel and you’re watching Smartrend News. Today is Friday January 6, 2012 and this is your market close wrap up. The major US equity indices closed mixed Friday on positive economic news and continuing European debt troubles. The Labor Department says 200000 jobs were added in the month of December while the unemployment rate fell to 8.5% from a 8.7% a month earlier.

Themajor US equity indices closed lower Wednesday after opening slightly higher and riding the flat line for most of the session. In economic news, the Federal Reserve announced today that it will keep interest rates at near-zero levels citing recent signs of improvement in the economy. The Fed’s inaction results in the key interest rate being at a historic low range of 0% to 0.25%. The Commerce Department reported this morning retail spending in the US rose slightly in November with a 0.2% increase followed by a sharper 0.6% increase in October. Analysts had expected a 0.6% increase in November

The major US equity indices closed lower Thursday as investor worries over Europe overshadowed positive economic data. European Central Bank head Mario Draghi announced Thursday government bond purchases are limited to enacting monetary policy, making investors worry a solution for the debt crisis will not come. A report from the European Banking Authority also fueled woes, saying eurozone banks are short some $115 billion in capital that has to be raised by mid-January. Some good economic news though. The Labor Department announced initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 23000 to a seasonally adjusted 381000, the lowest since late February

Themajor US equity indices closed lower after a clearing house raised the deposits needed to trade Italian government bonds and securities. Borrowing rates in Italy surged on uncertainty over who would lead the country though its current issues once Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigns. In corporate news, General Motors (NYSE:GM) reported Q3 earnings before the market opened today, posting EPS of $1.03, topping consensus estimates for $0.96. Revenue for the quarter rose to $36.7 billion, which was also ahead of estimates for $36.6 billion.

The major US equity indices closed lower Friday after the Group of 20 leaders reportedly failed to agree on the role to be played by the IMF in terms of the sovereign debt crisis. The Labor Department reported that the jobless rate fell in October to 9% from 9.1% in September. Payrolls rose by 80000 during the month, with is less than expected but gains for August and September were revised higher. In corporate news, shares of Groupon (NASDAQ:GRPN) debuted on the open market today after the company increased the size of the IPO to 35 million shares at $20 each. Shares of the online deals company closed out the day up 30.55% to $26.11

Themajor US equity indices closed lower Tuesday as investor confidence in Europe’s effort to manage its debt crisis wore off after Greece called for a referendum on its rescue package. Greece’s Prime Minister George A. Papandareou stunned the continent’s leaders with a shocking announcement late Monday that his government would hold a referendum on a new aid package for Greece. The proposed ballot measure would put Greek austerity measures–and potentially membership in the euro zone–to a popular vote for the first time, risking Papandreou’s political future and threatening even greater turmoil both among the countries that share the single currency and further field

Themajor US equity indices closed lower Tuesday following a weaker-than-expected report on consumer confidence and ahead of the euro summit. The Conference Board reported that consumers became more pessimistic in October, as consumer confidence fell to the lowest level since March 2009. The index fell to 39.8 in October from a September level of 46.4, upwardly revised from a prior estimate of 45.4. Economists had expected a reading of 46 for the month. In corporate news, Xerox (NYSE:XRX) reported Q3 EPS of $0.26, better than analyst estimates of $0.22 per share