Market Watch 4/09/10

Stock Market Closing Prices – 4/09/10

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close – 10997.35 +70.28
Nasdaq Stock Market Close – 2454.05 +17.24
S&P 500 Close – 1194.37 +7.94

Commodities Closing Prices – 4/09/10
Gold Close - 1161.10 +9.20
Oil Close – 84.92 -0.43
Natural Gas – 3.92

The stock market closed at a new 18-month high Friday, with the Dow Jones industrial average briefly touching 11,000 before retreating slightly.

A report on wholesale inventories Friday provided the latest positive sign on the economy. The Commerce Department said inventories rose 0.6 percent in February, better than the 0.4 percent forecast by economists polled by Thomson Reuters.

The start of earnings reports could give the Dow the push it needs to close above 11,000 if investors see companies continuing to increase profits. Reports are expected next week from Aloca Inc., as well as JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp. Traders will also have plenty of economic data to digest, including March retail sales Wednesday and housing starts Friday.

Next Week,

Consumer Price Index, due Wednesday.
Retail sales for March, due Wednesday.
Industrial production for March, due Thursday.
Housing starts and building permits for March, due Friday.