US markets end higher

CNBC's Margaret Brennan - The Dow managed to snap its losing streak thanks in part to decreases in the price of oil and chip stocks staged to rebound helping the Nasdaq gained by 32, the Dow up by 34. 

Crude oil prices dropped by 5 bucks to closer to the USD 131/bbl and that hurt shares of Exxon Mobil and Chevron, which fell more than 2%. But for transportation stocks benefit from the decrease in crude oil prices Burlington Northern and Continental Airlines gained on that news.

Financial stocks continue to be volatile after Citigroup CFO told analysts the bank will have a fresh round of writedowns due to mortgage investments gone wrong. Shares of Citi fell more than 1% and that weighed on some of the other financial stocks out there. Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch though are the two names that did manage to post some gains on Thursday.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson gained a lot of attention today, as he spoke on regulatory changes to expand the Federal Reserve’s role and preventing another failure like that of Bear Stearns.

Wall Stret Action:

Dow manages to snap its losing streak, up by 34 points
Nasdaq gains 32 points
Crude oil prices around $131/bbl
Shares of Exxon Mobil & Chevron fall more than 2%
Transportation stocks gain
Financial stocks continue to be volatile
Citigroup CFO tells analysts that banks will have fresh round of writedowns
Goldman Sachs & Merrill Lynch see some gains
Henry Paulson stresses regulatory changes to expand Fed's role in preventing failures like Bear Stearns 
Two former Bear Stearns' hedge fund managers indicted