U.S. stocks traded close to even on Thursday, one day after the Dow plunged nearly 300 points in an ugly Wednesday for equities. The day pushed the Dow index back into negative numbers for 2015.

The Dow is now down about 2.5% thus far this week (remember, a 5% drop denotes a technical pullback) and showing no signs of recovery on Thursday. Numerous experts attribute the recent downturn to fears over potentially rising interest rates, plus the strengthening of the U.S. dollar.

This morning saw a spike in oil prices. The commodity was back above $50 per barrel after Saudi Arabian forces launched a military strike in Yemen.

Thursday was a quiet day on the data side, but cautious investors had plenty of other news to keep them busy.

Here are the numbers from Wall Street on Thursday:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 17,678.23 (-40.31)

NASDAQ: 4,863.36 (-13.16)

S&P 500: 2,056.15 (-4.90)

It’s been another ugly day on Wall Street Wednesday, with the Dow dropping 200 points by noon off continued fears over interest rate hikes.

As the month of March—and the first quarter of 2015—winds to a close, investors are also expressing concern over how the stronger U.S. dollar will impact the upcoming earnings season. A disappointing report on February’s durable goods orders didn’t help matters, as the figure dropped 1.4 percent from January.

By 1:30 p.m., the Dow had dropped 210 points—sending the index back into negative numbers for 2015. The S&P 500, down 18 points by late afternoon, stood dangerously close to turning red as well.

As of 3 p.m., here are the Wednesday numbers from Wall Street:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 17,812.69 (-198.45)

NASDAQ: 4,908.73 (-86.01)

S&P 500: 2,073.36 (-18.14)

U.S. stocks were down in Tuesday afternoon trading, following a day where mixed data drove continued volatility.

The Dow finished slightly down on Monday, marking the ninth consecutive trading session of alternating between gains and losses.

Today, comments from various Federal Reserve presidents and inflation concerns are the focus. San Francisco Fed President John Williams offered an opinion Monday that the central bank should wait “no more than a few months” before pursuing a hike in interest rates. Meanwhile, the consumer price index increased for the first time in months (+0.2%) for February; a considerable jump when compared to a -0.7% decrease in January.

Investors pushed stocks slightly higher based off stronger-than-expected new homes sales figures on Tuesday morning. But in the afternoon, stocks not only lost their gains but declined considerably. Some experts suggested this was the result of continued concerns over an impending interest rate hike.

Oil prices swung wildly around the world, as China’s factory sector saw a dip in activity to the lowest level seen in 11 months.

Here are the final numbers from Tuesday on Wall Street:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 18,011.14 (-104.90)

NASDAQ: 4,994.73 (-16.25)

S&P 500: 2,091.50 (-12.92)

U.S. stock prices were mixed on Monday, as investors searched for direction following another week of volatility.

Oil prices, currency values, and the latest Federal Reserve policy statement all played a role in leading the market to a week of 100+ point swings every day.

This week, data moves back into the spotlight, starting with reports today that home sales were up 1.2%. Durable goods data will be released Wednesday, while the 4^th-quarter GDP figure from 2014 will be released on Friday.

The Euro was up (1.4%) against the dollar early on Monday, while oil futures were up 88 cents to close at $47.45 a barrel. Prices originally slipped after a statement from Saudi Arabia indicating they would not be cutting back on supply.

As of 3 p.m., here are Monday’s numbers on Wall Street:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 18,179.36 (+51.71)

NASDAQ: 5,025.11 (-1.31) 

S&P 500: 2,110.92 (+2.82)

U.S. stocks were lower on Thursday, one day after the Federal Reserve altered language in a statement that indicate interest rate hikes may be on the way.

The Fed dropped the word ‘patient’ from its March statement, leading investors to believe that the days of zero-interest rates are coming to an end. However, when taken as a whole the statement was rather non-committal, and funds futures now see October as the most likely target date for a rate increase. Before the statement was released, analysts were targeting June as the likeliest time frame.

“Just because we removed the word ‘patient’ does not mean we will become impatient,” said Fed Chair Janet Yellen, prompting many economists to alter their predictions.

The Fed’s statement will likely provide this week’s market highlight. Eyes now turn to European summit meetings this weekend, where Germany and other nations will work to solve the Greece crisis once and for all.

On Thursday, oil prices moved down 1.5% to just under $44 a barrel. News from OPEC renewed oversupply fears once more.

Here are the final numbers from Thursday on Wall Street:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 17,959.03 (-117.16)

NASDAQ: 4,992.38 (+9.55)

S&P 500: 2,089.27 (-10.23) 

U.S. stocks experienced considerable volatility on Wednesday, as investors digested the Federal Reserve’s statement at the end of their two-day meeting.

In this afternoon’s announcement, the Federal Reserve removed the word ‘patient’ from their outlook on a forthcoming increase on interest rates. The change in language is believed to signal an impending end to the six-year period of near-zero interest rates.

However, the remaining language in the statement suggested that it might take until the end of 2015 for the rate hike to occur. Markets were down as much as 150 points on the Dow this morning, but turned positive following the release from the Fed.

Oil prices reversed their recent tumble, moving up almost 2.5% to $44.50 per barrel.

Major earnings reports are due today from FedEx, General Mills and Sonoma.

As of 3:15 p.m., here are the numbers from Wall Street:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 18,073.56 (+224.48)

NASDAQ: 4,998.80 (+61.37)

S&P 500: 2,106.71 (+32.43) 

Stocks moved lower on Tuesday morning, as investors continue to look towards tomorrow’s Federal Reserve statement for hints of whether an interest rate hike is around the corner.

The lower open follows a 228-point jump in the Dow on Monday, as investors ignored a new six-year low in oil prices to focus on fluctuations in the value of the dollar. The currency fell slightly against the Euro.

On the data side, new homes figures came out Tuesday morning. falling 17 percent in February. This was the lowest figure in a full year, as harsh winter weather took its toll. European equities were mixed on Tuesday, as the European Union summit looms at the end of the week. Continued attempts to negotiate end-of-bailout terms with Greece are expected to top the agenda.

U.S. oil prices fell 1.8% to just over $43 a barrel, the lowest price since March 2009.

Here are the final numbers from Tuesday on Wall Street:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 17,849.08 (-128.34)

NASDAQ: 4,937.43 (+7.93)

S&P 500: 2,074.20 (-6.99)

U.S. stocks moved higher on Monday, as investors looked towards a week that could determine the course of the markets for much of 2015.

Last week, the market fluctuated up and down with moves of 100+ points on four out of five days. Investors were spooked by a strong dollar, as well as oil prices, which now stand below $44 a barrel for U.S. crude (lowest level in six years) and $54 a barrel for Brent crude.

Many expect that this week’s Federal Reserve policy statement will drop the word ‘patient’ from its typical vernacular, signaling an impending interest rate increase as soon as June. For months now, experts have warned of an interest rate hike being the force that could stop this bull market in its tracks.

On Monday, investors turned an eye to perceived weakness in the dollar (which moved down slightly against the Euro) as everyone gears up for the mid-week Fed statement.

Here are the final numbers from Wall Street on Monday:

Dow Jones Industrial Average: 17,977.42 (+228.11)

NASDAQ: 4,929.51 (+57.75) 

S&P 500: 2,081.19 (+27.79)