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U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday, following weak manufacturing data from China. This fanned fears of more trouble ahead for the world's second largest economy. A private gauge of China's Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to 49.4 in April from 49.7 in March. Any reading under 50 shows a declining manufacturing sector. The index has declined for the 14th month in a row. UBS shares dropped as quarterly profit fell 64 percent year-over-year to $741 million, missing Wall Street's estimates. In its investment banking division, net income slid 67 percent. The bank has been shifting its focus towards asset management. Halliburton reported an adjusted first quarter profit of $0.07 a share, beating estimates of $0.04. But adding in charges related to falling oil process the oil field services giant posted a loss of $2.81 a share. The company nixed its acquisition of Baker Hughes earlier this week amid regulatory challenges. Pfizer shares gained steam after reporting better than expected first quarter earnings and raising its outlook. It now expects 2016 earnings of $2.38 a share, compared to a previously reported range of $2.20 to $2.30 a share. TheStreet's Scott Gamm reports from Wall Street.

Stocks shook off the dour end to April to spring higher on the first trading day of the new month. Benchmark indexes closed near session highs as a surge in consumer stocks managed overshadowed more weakness in the energy sector. Groupon fell after RBC Capital downgraded the stock to UNDERPERFORM from SECTOR PERFORM and cut its price target to $3 from $4. Analysts said they are seeing few signs of a turnaround in fundamentals at the online coupon site. Baidu slumped after China's internet regulator announced it will investigate the search engine for possibly promoting false medical information. Brocade tumbled after slashing its second-quarter earnings and sales forecasts.

Stocks were higher as a boost in non-cyclical consumer names helped to offset selling in the energy sector. Crude oil pressured the latter, falling more than 1% on an increase in OPEC production last month. Manufacturing growth in April fell, though remained just above the line separating expansion from contraction. Both production and new orders softened, while the employment index remained in negative territory, suggesting further manufacturing job losses in coming months. Construction spending in March rose to its strongest level since October 2007. Private construction, particularly in the residential space, helped to boost activity. GNC jumped after suggesting it is considering a sale as it reviews strategic and financial alternatives to its current operating plan.

U.S. stocks gained steam on Monday, following declines of more than 1 percent last week. Halliburton's merger with Baker Hughes is dead, both companies announced on Sunday. The deal, which was initially valued at $35 billion, was nixed following the Justice Department's move to block the deal last month. The failed merger shows the divide between big business and big government. 'Big government obviously has their sights on big business,' said David Nelson, chief strategist at Belpointe Asset Management. 'They don't like big mergers like this. Anything they view as even a little bit anticompetitive, they're going to go after hard.' Food distributor Sysco reported fiscal third-quarter adjusted net income of $0.46, beating estimates of $0.42, thanks in part from a drop in food costs. Sales of $12 billion eclipsed Wall Street's estimates of $11.9 billion. Shares of Time Warner were downgraded by the analysts at Pacific Crest Securities to sector weight from overweight, saying the stock is expensive and that there aren't many catalyst for growth ahead. TheStreet's Scott Gamm reports from Wall Street.

Apple pulled broader markets lower as it suffered a three-day selloff. Shares of the world's largest company have fallen more than 11% since the beginning of the week after reporting its first sales decline in 13 years. Crude pared Friday's losses after the number of active U.S. rigs drilling for crude fell for their sixth week in a row. West Texas Intermediate ended just under $46 a barrel, around the year's highs, after surging nearly 20% in April. Expedia jumped after posting surprise quarterly profit thanks to a series of acquisitions. The world's largest online travel company bought Orbitz and Travelocity last year. Revenue jumped nearly 40% in the first quarter. Seagate Technology reported a 22% decline in quarterly sales.

Stocks extended losses as poor earnings from Gilead Sciences dragged the entire health care sector lower. Markets were also down after a monthly reading on consumer activity in the U.S. showed a tendency to save instead of spend. Consumer sentiment fell in April as Americans grew more concerned over future economic conditions. This marks the fourth straight monthly decline. Economic activity in the Chicago area weakened in April as a softer global economy tempered demand for U.S. products. The Chicago PMI was just above the level that separates expansion from contraction. Rovi announced that it had reached an agreement to buy Tivo for around $1.1 billion in a cash-and-stock deal. The companies expect annual cost synergies of at least $100 million.

U.S. stocks moved lower on Friday, the last trading session of April. Fresh data showed consumer spending rose only 0.1 percent in March, compared to 0.2 percent in April. Plus, the European economy grew by 0.6 percent during first quarter, beating estimates of 0.4 percent. 'It certainly looks like the additional stimulus put in place by the ECB is starting to bear fruit,' said Brenda Kelly, head analyst at London Capital Group. Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil reported net income of $1.8 billion for first quarter, or $0.43 a share, beating estimates of $0.31. That's its smallest profit in 17 years. Revenue of $48.7 billion eclipsing estimates of $48.1 billion. Plus, Chevron shares fell after the oil giant posted a loss of $0.39, while analysts had expected a loss of $0.17. Revenue also came in below estimates, amid the slump in oil prices. TheStreet's Scott Gamm reports from Wall Street.

Amazon outperformed even the wildest expectations, turning in its most profitable quarter ever. Shares soared as much as 12% in the pre-market. Amazon was helped by prime and its cloud business. The company continues to add prime members. Investors from all over the world are heading to Omaha, Nebraska this weekend for the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting. For the first time, the event will be live streamed on Yahoo this year. 40,000 people are expected to attend the meeting. Oil prices have hit a fresh high for the year. Prices jumped 2% and has now hit 2016 highs for a third straight day. Investors are shrugging off high inventories. Oil prices have surged 80% since late January. March personal income and spending is released today. Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert Kaplan speaks in London today.

U.S. stocks dropped on Thursday, as first quarter gross domestic product came in weaker than expected. The economy expanded by only 0.5 percent during first quarter, missing estimates of 0.7 percent. The reading was less than the previous estimate of 1.4 percent. Plus, weekly jobless claims rose by 9,000 to 257,000 - the four-week average fell slightly to 256,000. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan left key interest rates unchanged and in negative territory. The central bank shocked markets back in February when it pushed these rates into the red. Economists say it's too early to tell if these measures will lift growth in Japan. 'They want to wait and see what the impact of their actions are,' said Steve Blitz, chief economist at ITG. 'Monetary policy, regardless of the nation, takes anywhere between 12 and 18 months before you really see the impact of it.' Ford posted first quarter earnings per share of $0.69, crushing estimates of $0.45, driven by strength from North America sales. Finally, St. Jude Medical is being acquired by Abbott Laboratories in a deal valued at $25 billion, or about $85 a share, which is a 37 percent premium to St. Jude's closing price on Wednesday. TheStreeet's Scott Gamm reports from Wall Street.

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