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Stocks opened lower Monday morning in a busy week for economic and earnings news. The Federal Reserve holds a two day meeting this week, but is not expected to make any changes to interest rate policy. Halliburton was supposed to report earnings but delayed the release of its results as it works to finalize its deal with Baker Hughes. Valeant named a new CEO, Joseph Papa, who joins the company from Perrigo. Some M&A activity to kick off the week, as Gannett offered to buy Tribune for $12.25 a share in cash.

Stocks ended the week mixed as earnings dragged markets in opposite directions. The Nasdaq ended sharply lower, plunging further into the red for the year, on disappointing earnings from Microsoft and Alphabet . Sears Holdings rose after announcing plans to close 68 K-Mart stores and 10 Sears locations in late July. Management said these "aggressive actions" will help restore the retailer to profitability. Volkswagen slipped after taking a charge of more than 16 billion euros tied to an emissions-cheating investigation. The billion-dollar charge forced the automaker to revise its 2015 profit to a net loss and slash its dividend.

Stocks retreated with the Nasdaq sharply lower as a series of earnings from industry titans disappointed. Alphabet ( ), General Electric ( ), Starbucks ( ) and Microsoft ( ) were among those who reported an underwhelming quarter. A flash reading on U.S. manufacturing in April fell to a seven-year low. Production volumes languished as new business growth slowed, while manufacturing employment came in at its weakest since mid-2013. Advanced Micro Devices ( ) surged after topping estimates in its first quarter and issuing strong second-quarter guidance. The chipmaker anticipates second-quarter sales up 15% quarter on quarter, double what analysts had forecast.

U.S. stocks struggled to find direction as investors processed a slew of earnings reports on Friday. General Electric reported adjusted earnings of $0.21, beating estimates of $0.19. Revenue of $27.6 billion matched estimates. Sales in the company's oil and gas space fell 18 percent, amid the slump in oil prices. 'Despite the obvious headwind from the oil and gas sector, it seems like the other businesses are picking up the slack,' said Jasper Lawler, a market analyst with CMC Markets, based in London. Meanwhile, Caterpillar cut its guidance, citing soft demand for its construction and mining equipment. The company said full year sales should range between $40 billion and $42 billion, down from a previously reported range of $40 billion and $44 billion. Finally, Apple's iBooks store and iTunes Movies were shut down in China last week, months after they were unveiled in the region, according to the New York Times. During Apple's most recent quarter, revenue from Greater China accounted for roughly 24 percent of Apple's total revenue.

Investors are digesting quarterly earnings from three corporate giants. Microsoft profit fell 25%. It's cloud business did well but it faces higher taxes and currency fluctuations. Starbucks

Wall Street had more than enough to digest on Thursday after an avalanche of earnings reports from industry titans ranging from General Motors to American Express . The Dow returned to below 18,000. Mattel slumped after reporting a larger-than-expected loss as sales of its flagship Barbie doll declined more than 3% in its recent quarter. Viacom surged after renewing a multi-year distribution agreement with pay-TV provider Dish Network . Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Under Armour topped quarterly estimates thanks to the success of basketballer Stephen Curry's shoe line. Footwear sales jumped 64%, driving revenue 30% higher compared to a year earlier.

Stocks were mixed as a slew of earnings report kept investors busy. Around 15% of S&P 500 companies have reported so far with industry titans including General Motors and Biogen out this morning. SunEdison has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after weeks of reports it was on the verge of doing so. The solar energy company secured $300 million in debtor-in-possession financing while it restructures. Stanley, Black & Decker jumped after boosting earnings and revenue in its recent quarter. Southwest Airlines reported a 13% increase in first-quarter profit thanks to cheaper fuel costs. Fuel and oil expenses fell nearly 3% over the recent quarter.

U.S. stocks slipped as oil prices lost steam following Wednesday's rally. Plus, weekly jobless claims fell by 6,000 over the past week to 247,000 - that's the lowest level since November of 1973. The European Central Bank kept its benchmark interest rates unchanged and maintained its pace of monthly bond purchases at 80 billion euros. Its deposit rate remains in negative territory. Analysts said the central bank isn't out of tools to lift inflation in the eurozone, which stood at 0 percent in March General Motors reported net income of $1.26 a share, beating estimates of $1.01 amid strength in North America sales. Biogen shares were on the rise after posting earnings of $4.79 a share, beating estimates of $4.44. Revenue of $2.73 billion was a tad below forecasts. TheStreet's Scott Gamm reports from Wall Street.

Wall Street braces for a full slate of earnings. Among the big companies turning in their quarterly financial report cards today are General Motors , Verizon

Stocks ended around session highs as crude oil roared to its highest settlement of 2016. Commodities got a boost after a smaller-than-expected build in U.S. inventories over the past week and on reports Russia and several OPEC members might meet again to discuss capping production. Printing company Lexmark surged after agreeing to be acquired by a consortium of Asian buyers, including Apex Technology of China. The $3.6 billion deal values Lexmark at a 17% premium to Tuesday's close. Discover Financial jumped after beating analysts' estimates on the top- and bottom-line. Hershey slipped after a two-notch downgrade from Bank of America to UNDERWEIGHT.