Asia stocks up on improvement in US manufacturing

(NEW YORK) — A series of weak economic reports sent the Dow Jones industrial average plunging 217 points to its lowest level in a month. The troubling economic data included weak hiring at private companies, orders to U.S. factories that were lower than expected and sluggish job growth in the service sector. Companies like miners, banks and chemical makers, whose fortunes are most closely tied to the prospects for growth, fell the most. That’s a sign investors are becoming less confident in the U.S. economy. The Dow Jones industrial average closed at 14,960, a drop of 1.4 percent.

(NEW YORK) — A series of weak economic reports sent the Dow Jones industrial average plunging 217 points to its lowest level in a month. The troubling economic data included weak hiring at private companies, orders to U.S. factories that were lower than expected and sluggish job growth in the service sector. Companies like miners, banks and chemical makers, whose fortunes are most closely tied to the prospects for growth, fell the most. That’s a sign investors are becoming less confident in the U.S. economy. The Dow Jones industrial average closed at 14,960, a drop of 1.4 percent.

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares rose Wednesday as Japan's benchmark surged to its highest level since Sept. 2008 though wariness over corporate earnings pulled European indexes lower in early trading.

NEW YORK — The fastest growth in U.S. manufacturing in 10 months gave stocks a lift Tuesday and pushed the Dow Jones industrial average to its highest close in more than four years. Manufacturing expanded last month at the strongest pace since June, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

By David Pinsen:An Up Day After The Worst Week Since October 2008The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 272.38 points, or 2.53% on Monday, after dropping 738 points, or 6.4% last week - the Dow's worst weekly performance since October, 2008. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index (VIX) ended last week at 41.25, after spiking as high as 43.73 on Thursday, which was its highest level in over a month.

The journey has taken more than five years, but the Dow Jones industrial average pushed through to a record high close.