One study found that where the Dow goes, up or down between Labor Day and Election Day, historically, can determine whether voters keep the incumbent President or vote in his challenger.
The Dow Jones industrial average is closing with its biggest gain in a month after a strong retail sales report and strong earnings from Citigroup brought buyers into the market.
Stocks are closing lower for a third straight day following weak earnings reports, a pullback at U.S. factories and fear that Europe's debt crisis could spiral out of control.
Stocks are closing lower for a sixth straight day as concern spreads that slow global growth and the European debt crisis will drag down U.S. corporate earnings.
Stocks are finishing the day mostly lower on Wall Street after signs emerged that Americans are spending at a slower pace and that China's economy may be in worse shape than previously thought.