Dow Up 56 on Bernanke, Retail

Stocks posted solid advances after Ben Bernanke said it was “very likely” that the recession is over, the Wall Street Journal reports. Economic reports showed retail sales gaining 2.7% last month, largely because of the “Cash for Clunkers” program, while the Fed’s index of NY manufacturing activity rose to its highest value since November 2007. The Dow rose 56 points to close at 9,683. The Nasdaq gained 11 points to settle at 2,103, and the S&P 500 added 3 points, closing at 1,053.
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