Stocks rise for fourth day in a row, led by retail

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MATTHEW CRAFT

NEW YORK (AP) - Rite Aid, Ross Stores and other retailers surged Thursday after turning in better sales, and major stock market indexes rose for a fourth day straight.

The discount chain Ross Stores jumped 6 percent, the best gain in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. The company said stronger sales in March will likely push profits above its previous estimate this quarter. The stock jumped $3.56 to $63.80.

A surprising drop in claims for unemployment benefits last week gave investors more encouragement. Analysts said it could mean a slowdown in hiring last month may have been temporary.

"The numbers today make it seem like that March report was an anomaly," said David Heidl, a regional investment manager at U.S. Bank's wealth management unit. "It's another reason for optimism."

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130411/DA5JI6104.html

[L0oniX]

1. www.democraticunderground.com/1014451868 ...Someone needs to inform Bloomberg.

Retail Sales in U.S. Dropped in March by Most in Nine Months
Source: Bloomberg

By Alex Kowalski - Apr 12, 2013

Retail sales in the U.S. unexpectedly fell in March by the most in nine months as employment slowed, showing households ended the first quarter on softer footing.

[question everything]

2. Whatcha talking about?

Stocks have been down since the opening bell, now down 33...