A late rally pushed the Dow Jones industrial average back above 12,000 yesterday as investors responded to the latest twists in Europe’s efforts to control its debt crisis.
US indexes were down for much of the day on worries that Italy could become the next country to run into trouble.
Stocks turned higher after 2 p.m. on news that Greece would receive the latest installment of emergency aid as long as the country’s two main parties commit to implementing economic reforms agreed to by the country’s previous government.
Investors again reacted to whatever was the latest headline out of Europe.
The region’s problems have been offsetting optimism about strong corporate earnings in the US and signs of improvement in the economy.