Stocks Limp Higher

Stocks inched higher at the open today, after a punishing session yesterday that left them at their lowest closing level since 1997. The Dow rose 40 points, while the Nasdaq and S&P each gained 0.7%. Financials are still the focus, with AIG shares tumbling 23% on reports it would need more help. JPMorgan, meanwhile, rose 2.3% premarket, despite slashing its dividend by 87%. (More stock market stories.)