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Stocks finished mostly lower in volatile trading Thursday, selling off in the final hour as investors grappled with China fears against data suggesting a slight improvement in the U.S. economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 5.74 points to finish at 17,408.25. The index traded down as much as 61 points and up by as many as 79. The S&P 500 Index finished down 2.66 points, or 0.1%, at 2,083.39, after being down nearly 8 points and up nearly 7. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 10.83 points, or 0.2%, to finish at 5,033.56, after being down nearly 15 points and being up about 27.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — In an unusual statement, four commissioners on the Securities and Exchange Commission called on industry bodies to finish rules on the disclosure of mark-ups and mark-downs on municipal bonds — and threatened agency action if not done. “We encourage the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board to complete rules mandating transparency of mark-ups and mark-downs, even in riskless principal trades,” said the letter signed by every commissioner but Chairwoman Mary Jo White. “If not, we believe the Commission should propose rules to address this important issue.” They said the case announced Thursday against Edward J. Jones highlights the need for clear rules.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

By Mallory Ziglar

Are you a parent who’s doing a happy dance for back-to-school season? It’s time for the kiddos to stock up on notebook paper, sharpen their pencils and fill their brains with knowledge for another school year, giving you a few more kid-less hours during the week. (We won’t tell if you’re quietly celebrating.)

When it’s time to tackle homework at the end of the school day, a good desk can keep kids focused and comfortable. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, either. Check out what these Instagrammers did to overhaul their desks. Feel free to borrow some ideas for your own home office or kids’ homework station.

We love a hidden pop of color! This secretary’s desk looks modern and updated with the secret splash of Robin’s egg blue – perfect for a girl’s room. Or an adult woman’s room, like mine. Kudos to you, @birchredo!

Speaking of secretary’s desks and shades of blue, this DIY from @farmhouseblues also features a TON of storage. The letter organizer will keep them from using the “I lost my homework!” excuse and the drawers underneath can hide art supplies, folders, books — you name it.

Reclaimed wood is taking on all shapes and forms these days. Austin-based artist Milan Bender “sees potential in the leftovers of nature’s gifts, or the castoffs of our industrial society,” according to his website bio. If you like this desk as much as we do, check out his Instagram profile which is full of sustainable, upcycled projects to swoon over.

Carrie from @thirtyeigthstreet‘s work should look familiar. We featured her amazing coral dresser makeover in our first installment of this blog series. This gorgeous Kelly-green desk would make any daunting homework task seem a little more cheerful.

For even more fabulous furniture DIYs from fellow readers, check out the #HGTVmakeover hashtag on Instagram. Keep tagging your projects for a chance to be featured in an upcoming post.

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From:: HGTV

The U.S. crude-oil benchmark settled at its lowest price in more than six years Thursday, pressured by global supply worries and a stronger U.S. dollar. West Texas Intermediate crude-oil futures for September delivery dropped $1.07, or 2.5%, to end at $42.23 a barrel, the lowest finish for a most-active futures contract since March 2009.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

Gold futures finished lower in Thursday trade, snapping a five-day win streak as the metal sank behind a U.S. dollar that ticked higher on upbeat U.S. economic data. The Commerce Department said Thursday that retail sales rose 0.6% in July, just below the consensus forecast for a 0.7% rise, but strong enough to provide fodder to the investing contingent who believe that the Fed is on track to hike rates as soon as September based on relatively strong economic data. That is despite headwinds provided by a shaky economy in China, which had lured haven buyers in gold over the past few days. A rate hike would be a boon to the dollar but a negative for dollar-denominated gold, making it more expensive for buyers in other currencies. Another factor that may be pressuring gold is a Thursday report from the World Gold Council, which said demand plummeted 12% to a six-year low in the second quarter. December gold closed $8, or 0.7%, lower at $1,115.60 an ounce.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

By Michael DeMasi

A judge has signed an order approving a foreclosure sale of the historic Cannon Building in downtown Troy, New York.

State Supreme Court Justice Henry F. Zwack approved the sale sought by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

The bank is owed $1.76 million from owner Sandy Horowitz, who defaulted on a mortgage for the five-story building at 5 Broadway, according to the order.

Horowitz, a former producer of B-grade Hollywood movies, made a big splash in Troy in the early 2000s when he started buying downtown… …read more

From:: biz journal foreclosures

By Alyssa Sparacino

It’s officially the Dog Days of Summer, so this week we’re celebrating our furry friends — cats included — with design-savvy, pet-friendly spaces, DIY recipes and more.

No matter if you’re a crafty cat owner or DIY-deficient dog lover, we know you want to shower your pet in affection and belly rubs—and of course, toys and treats and lots more of the simple pleasures pets love. HGTV Magazine found 20-plus fun products you can buy, or you can try your hand at one of our DIY projects.

Buy or DIY: Bed

This fluffy, striped bed is available in a variety of sizes to accommodate small or large dogs. You could also transform a piece of vintage luggage into a stylish bed for small- or medium-sized pets.

Buy or DIY: House/Crate

Only the best for your pet! That’s why you can buy him or her this blue doggie “mansion.” Or keep pets close by building this DIY dual coffee table-crate.

Buy or DIY: Bowls

You don’t have to worry about leaving food and water bowls out when they look as good as this colorful ceramic find. Feeling the DIY itch instead? Create a feeding station by making inserts for pet bowls to “hide” in a stylish piece of furniture like a bench or a storage box. For a simpler DIY project, check out Farima’s wood-burned dog bowls. So cute!

Buy or DIY: Toys

Friendly felines will enjoy hours of playtime with catnip toys in fun shapes and colors. Or keep cats entertained with a seasonal spinner wand. Tweak the instructions to use any design you’d like.

DIY Only: Treats

Know exactly what you’re feeding your pet by whipping up a batch of homemade treats. These will definitely taste better than anything store-bought, and your furry friends will thank you for it. Get the recipe for Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits, Biscuits With Cream Cheese Frosting, and Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits! For a summer treat, don’t forget to try Camille’s dog-friendly Peanut Butter Ice Cream.

What’s the best pet product you’ve discovered (or DIYed) lately? Tell us in the comments below.

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From:: HGTV

By Brian Bandell

Homebuilder John B. Kennelly is under siege on two fronts with a $38 million foreclosure judgment threatening to send his waterfront homes in Broward and Palm Beach counties to auction, plus a new foreclosure lawsuit over his Boynton Beach project.

The South Florida residential market has largely recovered from the recession and builders are scoring loans again, but Kennelly can’t seem to find buyers.

BI Boca Boynton Portfolio, an affiliate of Miami-based BridgeInvest, won a $38 million foreclosure… …read more

From:: biz journal foreclosures

Merck & Co.’s stock rallied 1.5% in midday trade Thursday, after BMO Capital Markets upgraded the drug giant, citing increased optimism over the company’s drug pipeline and its management of current key drug franchises. Analyst Alex Arfaei raised his rating to outperform, after being at market perform for the past 15 months. He also raised his stock price target to $70, which is 18% above current levels, from $65. “We believe [Wall] Street is significantly underestimating Merck’s Hep-C franchise,” Arfaei wrote in a note to clients. “We are impressed with Merck’s management of the important Januvia franchise, which accounts for [about] 16% of revenues and we estimate at least 20%-25% of profits.” Januvia is an oral treatment for diabetes. The stock has now gained 4.2% year to date, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost 2.3%.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd said on Thursday that its mobile payments system Samsung Pay will launch in the U.S. on September 28 and in South Korea on August 20. The announcement comes after Senior Vice President for mobile Injong Rhee told investors in June that the company would postpone the initial launch in order to have it coincide with Samsung’s next flagship model. Samsung said in a statement that it plans to roll out the service in the U.K., Spain and China, with partners to be named in each market.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

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From:: Stock Market News