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10A – Daily News – Friday, September 17, 2010 NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks struggled to a mixed finish Thursday as a two-week rally lost momentum. News of a retrenchment by FedEx Corp. also discouraged buyers. Stocks end mixed as September rally loses steam Wall Street jobs in an effort to save its money-losing U.S. truck- ing business. Traders were becom- Stocks have been ris- ing for most of Septem- ber, but on unusually weak volume as skepti- cism lingers about the economy. FedEx, an eco- nomic bellwether, dark- ened the mood with an announcement that it would eliminate 1,700 ing wary as the Standard & Poor’s S&P 500 index, the benchmark most used by professional investors, approached the high end of its recent trading range. Investors are often hesi- tant to push a major index outside of recently tested limits for fear that auto- mated selling programs could kick in and send prices lower. Over the past few days the S&P has approached 1,131, a level it has not touched since June. Mar- ket analysts have long paid attention to technical trading levels such as these, but they are espe- cially important now since electronic trading is so prevalent. According to prelimi- nary calculations, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 22.10, or 0.2 percent, to close at 10,594.83. The Dow has now risen in 10 of the last 12 days, but it’s still 5.5 percent below its 2010 closing high level reached on April 26. Broader indexes were mixed. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 0.4, or 0.04 percent, to 1,124.66. The index is still up 7.2 percent for September, which is usu- ally a weak month for stocks. The Nasdaq composite edged up 1.93, or 0.08 percent, to 2,303.25. About three stocks fell for every two that rose on the New York Stock Exchange, where consoli- dated volume was low at 3.5 billion shares. Trading volume has been very low in recent weeks as many investors sit on the side- lines. That could leave the market vulnerable if sen- timent suddenly worsens. The mixed day on Wall Street came despite some encouraging news on the economy. The Labor Department said first- time claims for unem- ployment benefits fell to a two-month low last week to 450,000. They’re still well below levels that suggest economic growth. ‘‘Bottom line, every- body is worried the econ- last month, easing con- cerns about deflation, an economic malaise defined by falling prices. Relief over the reading in the Producer Price Index sent Treasury prices slightly lower and their yields higher. The yield on the 10- omy is in terrible shape,’’ said Dennis Paul, a senior portfolio manager at the Rosenau/Paul Group at Hightower Advisors. ‘‘But it’s not getting any worse.’’ A separate report Thursday indicated prices at the wholesale level rose more than expected 90TH year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, rose to 2.76 percent from 2.72 percent late Wednes- day. Its yield is used to help set interest rates on mortgages and other con- sumer loans. ‘‘I’m not sure the deflation theory is com- pletely debunked, but it’s pretty close,’’ said Jamie Cox, a managing director at Harris Financial Group. FedEx shares dropped $3.22, or 3.8 percent, to $82.72. Competitor UPS Inc.’s shares also fell fol- lowing the report from Fed. UPS dropped 94 cents to $66.72. Tehama County Fair 2010 The Apple Tree Scholarship Fund in Memory of Harry and Lorraine Johnson is currently accepting applications for the 2010/2011 school year. $500 scholarships will be awarded to teachers currently employed within Tehama County. Please request an application by visiting; Two http://appletreefund.blogspot.com or by e-mail to theappletree926@gmail.com. Recipients will be chosen based upon classroom need and creative use of funds to motivate, inspire, and challenge students. Applications need to be submitted by Oct. 15th, 2010. Scholarship recipients will be notified by Nov. 15th, 2010. Elementary, middle, and high school educators may apply. Harry and Lorraine Johnson China Buffet CHINESE RESTAURANT Open 7 Days A Week Sunday Buffet Special $ 9.99 COUPON China Buffet Lunch Dinner $9.99 $6.99 Monday - Saturday 343 S. Main St. Red Bluff 530-529-5888 (No Checks) 10 % off COUPON on dinner only (everyday) Expires 9-30-10 COUPON 5-Day Ad “Flight” Packages start at $150! (6 column inch minimum ad size) “…that’s equivalent to just $5.00 per published column inch!” ADD FULL COLOR Only 25% of space cost! Plus nominal charge for daily publication on Our online digital page-turn edition at www.redbluffdailynews.com Contact your advertising representative (530) 527-2151 to place your ad today! D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Back by popular demand! DAILY COVERAGE EDITIONS Publishing 5 Days Wednesday, Sept. 22 Thursday, Sept. 23 Friday, Sept. 24 Saturday, Sept. 25 & Monday, Sept. 27 Deadline: Monday, Sept. 20, noon Wed.-Sat. & Get Mon. FREE Buy We now serve beer & wine