Dow Nears 2003 High as Stocks Rally

Yahoo! News ^ | 5/30/2003 | Steve Gelsi

[Pyro7480]

Dow nears 2003 high as stocks rally
Friday May 30, 2:59 pm ET
By Steve Gelsi

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Stocks rallied Friday, sending the Dow close to five-month highs, as investors took heart in a strong report on regional manufacturing activity.

U.S. authorities also lowered the terrorist threat level to yellow from orange in a positive move on the geopolitical front.

All but two of the blue chip index's 30 components traded higher, with the biggest gains in American Express, Caterpillar, Boeing, Home Depot and Coca-Cola. Wal-Mart and Intel dipped slightly.

The Nasdaq, meanwhile, is closing in on a one-year high while the S&P 500 reached a fresh nine-month peak.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (CBOT:^DJI - News) piled on 130 points, or 1.5 percent, to 8,840. The blue chip index traded near its high close of the year at 8,842 set back on Jan. 14.

The Nasdaq Composite (NasdaqSC:^IXIC - News) rallied 18 points, or 1.1 percent, to 1,592. The tech-heavy index is approaching its 52-week high of 1,631 set on May 30 of last year.

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (CBOE:^SPX - News) ascended 1.3 percent while the Russell 2000 Index (CBOE:^RUT - News) of small-capitalization stocks advanced 1.7 percent.

Chip and hardware issues spearheaded advances in the tech sector while broader market gains were clustered in the biotech, oil service, retail and defense sectors.

Volume totaled 1.2 billion on the NYSE and 1.8 billion on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Market breadth was extremely positive, with advancers taking out decliners by 23 to8 on the NYSE and by 21 to 10 on the Nasdaq.

The day's spate of data offered some good news on the long-beleaguered factory sector -- which has been a major drag on the economy. The May Chicago Purchasing Mangers index sprinted to 52.2 percent, up from April's 47.6 percent and more than the 49 percent that had been expected by economists. Any mark over the 50 level signals factory expansion.

"The Chicago PMI was the catalyst for the advance," said Bryan Piskorowski, market commentator at Prudential.

And though the strategist said resiliency has been "the market's mantra of late," he feels that next week's reports on manufacturing and the labor market will be crucial. "The question is: How bullish will people get ahead of next week's numbers?"

Piskorowski said the market has been giving the economy the benefit of the doubt. Now the data need to deliver to maintain and extend gains.

In economic other news, the University of Michigan's final reading on May consumer sentiment rose to 92.1 from April's 86. The index was lower vs. the preliminary reading of 93.2 and less than economists' expectations for a 92.6 reading.

Rounding off the day's data, personal incomes were flat in April while personal consumption expenditures slipped 0.1 percent in the same month. Economists had expected a flat reading for incomes but had anticipated a 0.1 percent increase in spending.

On the fund flow front, Trim Tabs estimated that all equity funds had inflows of $2.6 billion during the week ended May 28 compared with outflows of 1.4 billion in the prior week. And equity funds that invest primarily in U.S. stocks saw outflows of $300 million vs. outflows of $100 million during the prior week. Finally, bond funds got an infusion of $1.4 billion vs. inflows of $2 billion the prior week.

Ned Riley, chief investment strategist at State Street Global Advisors, said the Chicago-area manufacturing report kicked the rally into high-gear. "Momentum is clearly on the side of the bulls," he said.

[Tunehead54]

Any KO (Coke)? I had to watch it go from 54 to 37 - and had to bail - glad its coming back. Over time its been almost unbeatable but a man has his limitations. Anybody with KO can thank me 'cause I sold at the absolute low. ;-(

Like when I wash my truck - rain w/in 24 hours , guaranteed. ;-)

[aristeides]

Even the Washington Post gets it: Signs of Economic Health .

[CholeraJoe]

with the biggest gains in American Express, Caterpillar, Boeing, Home Depot and Coca-Cola."

I carry American Express Cards, have a Cat hat, fly on Boeing airplanes, shop (frequently) at Home Depot and drink Coke. Does that mean you owe me something?

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Heard the most hilarious newscast on WABC radio. Talking about the serious drop in consumer sales........01%......followed by the statement that Americans were sooo worried they didn't buy food and clothing.

Exactly right. We didn't spend our money on food and clothing. My wife and I bought two (2) SUVs. Yes they're used, but we needed newer vehicles. Yep, no one is buying hardly anything. LOL.

[OldFriend]

All those new houses being built have empty interiors too.......no plumbing or heating/cooling...no walls, no appliances.........definitely no refrigerators since no one is buying food. No closets either, cause no one is buying clothing.

[bvw]

Parked ... signs ... aching.

Fine.

[montag813]

The NASDAQ is closing in on its 2002 high. The author is covering the wrong index. $SOX is where the action is.

[montag813]

The NASDAQ is closing in on its 2002 high. The author is covering the wrong index. $SOX is where the action is.

[Mark Turbo]

Whoo Hooo!!! I hold 3 of the 5 [American Express, Caterpillar, Boeing, Home Depot and Coca-Cola]. It was a VERY GOOD day.

You win. I hold only 2 of the 5, so I merely had a GOOD day. :^)

[Southack]

As predicted here, people are beginning to buy up dividend paying stocks in order to maximize their after-tax income. The dividend tax, as of yesterday's signing by President Bush, is now only 15% (half of its 2002 level), and will be completely repealed in 2004.

This new trend towards tax-free income is going to absolutely CRUSH the "tax free" muni bond market, especially since so many cities are defaulting (and a couple of states may even default).

Of course, flights to the safety of U.S. Treasuries won't really see this as a big negative, but those municipalities who need to issue more bonds are going to feel the pain!

Why risk all of your investment in a tax free muni bond that might default, when all that you can get is a 5% return...especially since you can now buy dividend paying stocks that give you tax free returns of more than 10%?!

So is it any wonder that Socialists in urban areas are gloomy, while the rest of America cheers on the new buying binge on the Stock Markets?!

[wardaddy]

Not to mention that muni is gonna lose about 8-10% in value if interest rates go up a full point.

[bvw]

That aspect and the fact we are winning in some key ways wrt Euro, despite or because of the $ going south, are good signs. However I don't agree with the princible that the big stock markets will be the indicator of economic health or recovery.

[AlGone2001]

This is the woest nightmare that the democrats could have imagined.

[junta]

Liquidity driven speculation, index allocation by drivers of other people's money. Though there might be something to the new tax cuts on dividends sparking some interest. I have T held in trust and since it has a P/E of 0 (money loser)it still has had a nice run this year perhaps it is the current 3.9% yield with dividend.