Data which showed a slowing pace of decline for US gross domestic products fueled modest advances in the markets today, with the Dow finishing its best month since October 2002, the Wall Street Journal reports. Bank of America and Alcoa paced advancers, and the Dow closed up 17.15 at 9,171.61. The Nasdaq lost 5.80 to close at 1,978.50, while the S&P 500 gained 0.73, settling at 987.48.