At mid day the major market indexes were trending in the green and boasting
solid gains after the governments release of a better than anticipated report on
the job market. The report showed an increase of 216,000 jobs in the month of
March as well as a slip in the unemployment rate to 8.8%. Also on tap for
Friday, April 1st was the release of the Institute for Supply Managements
manufacturing index. The index showed a reading of 61.2, falling just shy of the
economists anticipated number set at 61.4. The Commerce Departments report on
construction spending showed a decrease of 1.4%, falling well below economists
anticipated loss of 0.7%. Investors were also taking some time to review the
latest offer for the NYSE Euronext. Germanys Deutsche Boerses previous bid of
$10 billion to purchase the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange was
topped by 19% as Nasdaq OMX and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) offered $11.3
billion to purchase NYSE Euronext. The buyouts are said to be part of a
worldwide consolidation plan to help reduce transaction costs and increase
opportunities. Approaching close the major market indexes are trending in the
green. The Dow gained 48.02 points or 0.39% to 12367.75. The Nasdaq increased
3.33 points or 0.12% to 2784.72. The S&P 500 rose 5.55 points or 0.43% to
1331.51. The Treasuries 10-year yield is flat at 3.45%. Oil has climbed to new
two year highs topping $108 a barrel today and are currently at $108.13. The
U.S. Dollar lost 0.0026 to the Euro at $1.4228. Author: Pamela Frost
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