U.S. Stocks Seesaw, But End Up Monday

November 2, 2009 7:24 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - U.S. stocks seesawed on Monday, opening strong then falling back before recovering at the end of the day. Markets were encouraged by data showing an increase in manufacturing and an unexpectedly good earnings report from Ford Motor Co.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.8 percent after climbing 140 points during early trading. At the end of the day, it was up 76 points to 9,789.

The Nasdaq Composite Index edged up 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,049. The Standard and Poor's 500 Index settled up 6.7 points, or 0.65 percent, to 1,043.

Early trading was enthusiastic after the Institute for Supply Management reported its factory index rose to 55.7 in October, the fastest rate in more than three years.

Also in the morning, automaker Ford reported a third-quarter profit of $997 million.