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Low trading volumes and a lack of economic reports kept stocks confined to a narrow range Monday. Indexes finished mixed and bond yields were barely changed. American Express Co. had the largest move of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones industrial average. The card issuer fell 3.4 percent after Stifel Nicolaus downgraded the company. New rules proposed by the Federal Reserve could limit fees the company charges merchants.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 13.78, or 0.1 percent, to 11,478.13.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 3.17, or 0.3 percent, to 1,247.08.

The Nasdaq composite index gained 6.59, or 0.3 percent, to 2,649.56.

For the year:

The Dow is up 1,050.08, or 10.1 percent.

The S&P is up 131.98, or 11.8 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 380.41, or 16.8 percent.

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This makes the turnaround specialist F&C’s biggest shareholder – surpassing Eureko, the European life insurance group.

Sherborne Founder Edward Bramson already had 9.9pc in shares in F&C.

He had a further 7.6pc in so called Contracts For Difference (CFDs) – derivatives that allow investors to make leverged bets on shares.

Sherborne has now switched those CFDs into ordinary shares – giving Mr Bramson access to the full voting strength of the stock.

The share transfer also triggers a break in contract with one of F&C’s biggest clients – BCP, which will now mean BCP can serve notice within 12 months rather than needing three and a half years – a potentially damaging coup de grace for the money managers revenue streams.

Last week, F&C came under serious attack after Sherborne demanded an EGM in a bid to oust chairman Nick MacAndrew and replace him with Mr Bramson.

Sherborne also wants to oust Brian Larcombe, formerly of 3i who is a non-executive director of F&C, and appoint two other directors, Ian Brindle and Derham O’Neill that also work for Sherborne.

Some investors have questioned the corporate governance issues raised by having three Sherborne executives sitting on the board rather than independent directors. This is especially poignant given Sherborne is backed by UK insurance group Aviva, which owns 19.5pc of Sherborne and 6.5pc of F&C.

The board changed will be voted on at Febuary’s EGM.

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Stocks ended flat on Friday as investors shrugged off encouraging economic signs and a tax-cut package expected to lift economic growth. Trading ended shortly before President Barack Obama signed a tax bill into law. Indexes are still up for the week, and the Dow Jones industrial average posted its third straight weekly gain. The S&P 500 eked out another high close for 2010.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 7.34 points, or 0.06 percent, to 11,491.91.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 1.04, or 0.08 percent, to 1,243.91.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 5.66, or 0.2 percent, to 2,642.97.

For the week:

The Dow is up 81.59, or 0.7 percent.

The S&P is up 3.51, or 0.3 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 5.43, or 0.2 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 1,063.86, or 10.2 percent.

The S&P is up 128.81, or 11.6 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 373.82, or 16.5 percent.

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A small drop in unemployment claims and a higher profit forecast by FedEx Corp. helped push stocks up Thursday. The Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor's 500 index closed at their highest levels of the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 41.78, or 0.4 percent, to 11,499.25.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 7.64, or 0.6 percent, to 1,242.87.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 20.09, or 0.8, to 2,637.31.

For the week:

The Dow is up 88.93, or 0.8 percent.

The S&P is up 2.47, or 0.2 percent.

The Nasdaq is down 0.23, or 0.01 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 1,071.20, or 10.3 percent.

The S&P is up 127.77, or 11.5 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 368.16, or 16.2 percent.

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The single currency fails, and the nations of the region are determined to defend, Mr. A is said German newspaper Bild am Sonntag in an interview published on Sundays.

"Officials agreed Europe: the euro is to our advantage." And that is why we defend successfully, "Mr Sch?uble was quoted as saying."

"Those who bet their money to the euro will no success", he added. "The euro not."

His comments came ahead of a Summit of the European Union this week is to concentrate on the establishment of a permanent mechanism for rescue from 2013 for the crisis strikes euro area countries.

The euro came under pressure because the followed by Greece Ireland strikes in €750bn Fund relief area.

Separately, John Major Sunday gave the single currency its vote of confidence.

"What I do not expect for the euro area to break," former Prime Minister said in an interview with Andrew Marr Show BBC television Sunday.

The United States and fund international monetary would intervene to help prevent a breakup if this scenario threatened, he said.

However, he added that the euro area is likely to face "a long time - and perhaps a decade - slow growth."

Saturday, Prime Minister José Socrates Portugal, sought to allay fears that his nation would be the next to seek a bailout in front of the sovereign debt crisis.

"Our problem is just a budget that we have to fix, just like other countries", Mr. Socrates said Diario de Noticias.

"There is no reason that the IMF enter Portugal, because the Portugal is not necessary," he said, according to the Portuguese daily. "The Government is not necessary that we know exactly what to do and we do need someone to come and tell us what we should do."

EU leaders are committed to defending the single currency, said Mr Socrates. "How we defend is responding to our budgetary targets, this is what we do."

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An encouraging trade report and signs that a tax cut package would pass the Senate sent stocks edging higher Friday. The government reported that the U.S. trade deficit fell to its lowest level in nine months in October. Growing demand for American goods overseas pushed exports to their highest level in more than two years. The S&P 500 index closed at another high for the year, the third straight day it has done so.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 40.26, or 0.4 percent, to 11,410.32.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 7.40, or 0.6 percent, to 1,240.40.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 20.87, or 0.8 percent, to 2,637.54.

For the week:

The Dow is up 28.23, or 0.2 percent.

The S&P is up 15.69, or 1.3 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 46.08, or 1.8 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 982.27, or 9.4 percent.

The S&P is up 125.30, or 11.2 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 368.39, or 16.2 percent.

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Stock indexes wobbled for most of the day Wednesday before turning positive in the afternoon. Traders expect the tax cut compromise reached by President Barack Obama and Republican leaders to encourage growth in the U.S. economy. The Standard & Poor's 500 index reached a new closing high for the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average edged up 13.32 points, or 0.1 percent, to 11,372.48.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 4.53, or 0.4 percent, to 1,228.28.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 10.67, or 0.4, to 2,609.16.

For the week:

The Dow is down 9.61, or 0.08 percent.

The S&P is up 3.57, or 0.3 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 17.70, or 0.7 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 944.43, or 9.1 percent.

The S&P is up 113.18, or 10.1 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 340.01, or 15 percent.

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Stocks closed mixed after enthusiasm over a deal to extend tax cuts faded. President Barack Obama and Republican leaders agreed to a broad package of tax cuts and an extension of unemployment benefits. The compromise plan helped send stocks higher in the morning but the gains faded by late afternoon.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 3.03, or 0.03 percent, to close at 11,359.16.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 0.6, or 0.05 percent, to 1,223.75.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 3.6, or 0.1 percent, to 2,598.49.

For the week:

The Dow is down 22.93, or 0.2 percent.

The S&P is down 0.96, or 0.08 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 7.03, or 0.3 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 931.11, or 8.9 percent.

The S&P is up 108.65, or 9.7 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 329.34, or 14.5 percent.

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Stocks staged a late afternoon rally after spending most of the day weighed down by an unexpected rise in the unemployment rate. Indexes wound up closing higher for the third straight day. Materials and energy companies led the rebound. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 2.6 percent for the week, its best weekly gain since hitting a 2010 high on Nov. 5. The Dow is now just 0.5 percent below that level.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 19.68, or 0.2 percent, to 11,382.09.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 3.18, or 0.3 percent, to 1,224.71.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 12.11, or 0.5 percent, to 2,591.46.

For the week:

The Dow is up 290.09, or 2.6 percent.

The S&P is up 35.31, or 3 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 56.90, or 2.2 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 954.04, or 9.1 percent.

The S&P is up 109.61, or 9.8 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 322.31, or 14.2 percent.

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Strong retail sales and a healthy reading on the housing market helped stocks start December with a two-day winning streak. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 106 points. Combined with a 249-point gain Wednesday, the Dow has had its best two-day run since July 7-8.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 106.63, or 1 percent, to close at 11,362.41.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 15.46, or 1.3 percent, to 1,221.53.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 29.92, or 1.2 percent, to 2,579.35.

For the week:

The Dow is up 270.41, or 2.4 percent.

The S&P is up 32.13, or 2.7 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 44.79, or 1.8 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 934.36, or 9.0 percent.

The S&P is up 106.43, or 9.5 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 310.20, or 13.7 percent.

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Stocks ended mixed Wednesday as concerns that Ireland will need outside help to repay its debts were coupled with a steep drop in housing construction in the U.S. Global stock markets have been rattled over the past week out of fear that Ireland will become the next European country to need a bailout after Greece.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 15.62, or 0.1 percent, to 11,007.88.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 0.25, or less than 0.1 percent, to 1,178.59.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 6.17, or 0.3 percent, to 2,476.01.

For the week:

The Dow is down 184.70, or 1.7 percent.

The S&P is down 20.62, or 1.7 percent.

The Nasdaq is down 42.20, or 1.7 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 579.83, or 5.6 percent.

The S&P is up 63.49, or 5.7 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 206.86, or 9.1 percent.

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Stocks fell for a fourth day Tuesday as concerns over a slowdown in China and talks about a bailout for Irish banks combined to push the Dow Jones industrial average to its largest one-day loss since August. The Dow Jones industrial average dipped below 11,000 during the day for the first time since Oct. 20.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 178.47, or 1.6 percent, to 11,023.50.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 19.41, or 1.6 percent, to 1,178.34.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 43.98, or 1.8 percent, to 2,469.84.

For the week:

The Dow is down 169.08, or 1.5 percent.

The S&P is down 20.87, or 1.7 percent.

The Nasdaq is down 48.37, or 1.9 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 595.45, or 5.7 percent.

The S&P is up 63.24, or 5.7 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 200.69, or 8.8 percent.

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Stocks slumped to a mixed finish Monday as the dollar posted its second day of gains over concerns that Europe is on the edge of another bailout. Investors believe that Ireland may seek help from its fellow members in the European Union as its economy sputters. The dollar also spiked in May when Europe bailed out Greece.

The Dow Jones industrial average 9.39, or 0.1 percent, to close at 11,201.97.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 1.46, or 0.1 percent, to 1,197.75.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 4.39, or 0.2 percent, to 2,513.82.

For the year:

The Dow is up 773.92, or 7.4 percent.

The S&P is up 82.65, or 7.4 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 244.67, or 10.8 percent.

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Stocks and commodities took a nosedive Friday on worries that China might try to put the brakes on its surging economy. Any slowdown in China will likely reduce global demand for oil, metals and grains, which sent prices of those commodities lower. Boeing Co. and Alcoa Inc. led the declines in the Dow.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 90.52, or 0.8 percent, to 11,192.58.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 14.33, or 1.2 percent, to 1,199.21.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 37.31, or 1.5 percent, to 2,518.21.

For the week:

The Dow is down 251.50, or 2.2 percent.

The S&P is down 26.64, or 2.2 percent.

The Nasdaq is down 60.77, or 2.4 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 764.53, or 7.3 percent.

The S&P is up 84.11, or 7.5 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 249.06, or 11.0 percent.

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NEW YORK – Stocks posted meager gains Wednesday as traders remained cautious ahead of a global economic summit where the U.S. is likely to face pushback from other nations over its economic stimulus plan.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 10.29, or 0.1 percent, to 11,357.04.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 5.31, or 0.4 percent, to 1,218.71.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 15.80, or 0.6 percent, to 2,578.78.

For the week:

The Dow is down 87.04, or 0.8 percent.

The S&P is down 7.14, or 0.6 percent.

The Nasdaq is down 0.20, or 0.01 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 928.99, or 8.9 percent.

The S&P is up 103.61, or 9.3 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 309.63, or 13.6 percent.

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NEW YORK – Stocks and bonds fell Tuesday as commodities rallied to two-year highs. Silver, soybeans and copper jumped to levels last seen in October 2008 as investors moved money into hard assets in anticipation that a massive economic stimulus plan announced by the Federal Reserve last week will continue to weaken the dollar.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 60.09, or 0.5 percent, to 11,346.75.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 9.85, or 0.8 percent, to 1,213.40.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 17.07, or 0.7 percent, to 2,562.98.

For the week:

The Dow is down 97.33, or 0.9 percent.

The S&P is down 12.45, or 1 percent.

The Nasdaq is down 16.00, or 0.6 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 918.70, or 8.8 percent.

The S&P is up 98.30, or 8.8 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 293.83, or 12.9 percent.

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NEW YORK – Stocks pulled back Monday as traders retreated from a rally that brought indexes to their highest levels since the peak of the financial crisis in September 2008. Financial companies were down the most among the 10 industry groups that make up the S&P 500 index. Technology, energy and materials companies were the only groups in the index to show meager gains.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 37.24, or 0.3 percent, to 11,406.84.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 2.60, or 0.2 percent, to 1,223.25.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 1.07, or 0.04 percent, to 2,580.05.

For the year:

The Dow is up 978.79, or 9.4 percent.

The S&P is up 108.15, or 9.7 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 310.90, or 13.7 percent.

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Stocks struggled to end barely higher Friday after a blowout report on job creation failed to extend a powerful rally this week driven by the Federal Reserve's latest plan to pump up the economy. Earlier in the week the Dow reached its highest level since September 2008, just before the peak of the financial crisis, over enthusiasm about the Fed's $600 billion bond-buying program announced Wednesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 9.24, or 0.1 percent, at 11,444.08.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 4.79, or 0.4 percent, to 1,225.85.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 1.64, or 0.1 percent, to 2,578.98.

For the week:

The Dow is up 325.59, or 2.9 percent.

The S&P is up 42.59, or 3.6 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 71.57, or 2.9 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 1,016.03, or 9.7 percent.

The S&P is up 110.75, or 9.9 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 309.83, or 13.7 percent.

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The Federal Reserve wanted to push interest rates lower and jump-start financial markets with its $600 billion economic stimulus plan. So far the Fed is getting the results it wants. Long-term interest rates sank and stocks indexes hit new highs Thursday, a day after the Fed announced its massive bond-buying plan. The Dow Jones industrial average soared more than 220 points, reaching another high for the year. All three main stock indexes have now reached 2010 highs this week.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 219.71, or 2.0 percent, to 11,434.84.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 23.10, or 1.9 percent, to 1,221.06.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 37.07, or 1.5 percent to 2,577.34.

For the week:

The Dow is up 316.35, or 2.8 percent.

The S&P is up 37.80, or 3.2 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 69.93, or 2.8 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 1,006.79, or 9.7 percent.

The S&P is up 105.96, or 9.5 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 308.19, or 13.6 percent.

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The Dow Jones industrial average reached its highest level in two years after the Federal Reserve announced plans to buy $600 billion in Treasurys to stimulate the economy. The aim is to drive interest rates lower in an effort to spark spending and lending. The Fed made firmer commitments under the new program than many investors had been expecting, which helped push stock indexes and most Treasury prices higher.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 26.41, or 0.2 percent, to 11,215.13.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 4.39, or 0.4 percent, to 1,197.96.

The Nasdaq composite index 6.75, or 0.3 percent, to 2,540.27.

For the week:

The Dow is up 96.64, or 0.9 percent.

The S&P is up 14.70, or 1.2 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 32.86, or 1.3 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 787.08, or 7.5 percent.

The S&P is up 82.86, or 7.4 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 271.12, or 11.9 percent.

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