U.S. stocks mostly down; S&P streak holds

MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE

A late-session surge in financials keeps the S&P 500 in the green for a fourth consecutive week. See full story.

10 income-paying stocks that beat the crowd

Stock investors no longer have doubts about dividends, and that�s reason for some doubt, as many of these income-producing stocks have been discovered. Better to look for dividends among cash-rich companies that slip under yield-hunters� radar. See full story.

Tech spending may not be as bad as feared

Earnings in the sector are lifting hopes that IT spending may not be as dismal this year as many analysts expected back in December. Quarterly reports from IBM, EMC and VMware offer a more upbeat view. See full story.

Oil ends lower, gasoline at best since August

Oil futures end a seesawing session modestly lower. Gasoline futures settle at their highest since August on a planned refinery shutdown and higher Brent prices. See full story.

White House expands foreclosure prevention program

The Treasury Department expands a troubled program seeking to help troubled borrowers on the verge of foreclosure, expanding incentive payments to investors so they participate in the program. See full story.

MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY

Instead of acknowledging that banks have become a part of government, we keep pretending they are private institutions, writes David Weidner. See full story.

MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE

What�s the State of Retirement in the U.S.? It�s plagued with problems involving Social Security, contribution rates and more that need fixing now. See full story.