UPI NewsTrack Business

• Tweet

Markets mixed at the close

NEW YORK, April 16 (UPI) -- U.S. stock markets were mixed Monday, with equities lower in Asia and higher in Europe.

By close of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average added 0.56 percent, 71.82 points to 12,921.41. The tech-dominated Nasdaq composite index shed 0.76 percent, 22.93 points, to 2,988.40. The Standard and Poor's 500 index was off slightly, down 0.05 percent, 0.69 points, to 1,369.57.

On the New York Stock Exchange, 1,728 stocks advanced and 1,302 declined on a volume of 2.3 billion shares traded.

The 10-year treasury note was yielding 1.983 percent.

The euro rose to $1.3132 from Friday's $1.3078. Against the yen, the dollar fell to 80.42 yen from Friday's 80.92 yen.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index dropped 1.74 percent, 167.35, to 9,470.64.

In London, the FTSE 100 index gained 0.26 percent, 14.49, to 5,666.28.

Benefits vary for electric cars

WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- What's under the hood of an electric car could be, in effect, a heavily polluting coal-burning power plant, a science group based in Washington said.

The Union for Concerned Scientists said in a new study that a gasoline-powered hybrid car would have less harmful global warming emissions than a similar-sized electrically powered car if that car was charged with electricity created at a heavily polluting power plant.

The study said 45 percent of the country has electricity generated by a mix of sources that would tip the scales toward an electrically powered car.

For example, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday, an electrically powered vehicle charged up in the Pacific Northwest, parts of Alaska, California and New York -- with the exception of Long Island -- creates global warming emissions similar to a hybrid car that gets 70 miles per gallon.

On the other hand, "The Rocky Mountain grid region (covering Colorado and parts of neighboring states) has the highest emissions intensity of any regional grid in the United States, which means an electric vehicle will produce global warming emissions equivalent to a gasoline vehicle achieving about 33 mpg," the study said.

Tax trouble? Turn to YouTube

WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- U.S. tax collectors have turned to YouTube to teach procrastinators how to file their federal tax returns.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday the IRS has posted several videos on the popular Internet time sponge, including one titled "Last-minute tax tips -- 2012."

In the video, an IRS employee tells the audience: "Please, don't worry. You still have options."

Currently, the IRS YouTube channel has 54 instructional videos. The agency said it is the fourth most-viewed government channel on YouTube.

The tax deadline this year is Tuesday since the 15th fell on a Sunday and because Monday was Emancipation Day, a public holiday observed in Washington.

That means, there is still time to get in a little YouTube before the deadline strikes.

New Dodge Dart to debut in June

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 16 (UPI) -- Chrysler said the 2013 Dodge Dart would be available by June in five variations with prices ranging from $15,495 to $22,495.

The most basic model, the Dodge Dart SE is equipped with a four-cylinder 160 horsepower engine with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.

The Dodge Dart SXT features 17-inch aluminum wheels and a sound system with six speakers. It will sell for a base price of $17,995, plus a $795 shipping fee.

Fancier models include the Dodge Dart Rallye, the Dodge Dart Limited and the Dodge Dart R/T, a performance version with a 2.4 liter, 184 horsepower, four-cylinder engine.

The Limited, priced at $19,995, but also with a delivery fee, comes with an 8.4 inch Uconnect touch screen and rear backup camera. It also has projector fog lights and automatic headlights, the Free Press said.

The 2013 Dart is considered a critical test of the merger between Chrysler and Fiat. It is the first Chrysler car made with a Fiat platform.