Modest Gains

The DOW closed up 80+ points today. Investors saw the economic data and were more pleased than disgruntled. The overall view is that the recovery is in process and working.

There was an increase in the weekly unemployment figures and that is a real sticky point.

Reuters: Wall Street , focusing on signs of recovery, rises

Government reports showing a surprise increase in weekly jobless claims and higher producer prices in January were more than offset by data showing gains in mid-Atlantic manufacturing activity and a 10th straight monthly rise in the Conference Board's index of leading economic indicators.