Stocks rose Monday after an increase in consumer spending boosted confidence in the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average rose about 45 points in afternoon trading. Broader indexes also climbed. loadposition in-article The Commerce Department said consumer spending rose for the fifth consecutive month in February, matching economists’ expectations. Job creation and healthy consumer spending are considered keys to a sustained recovery. At the end of the week, investors will get the Labor Department’s monthly employment report, which is expected to show employers added jobs this month for only the second time since the recession began in December 2007. Meanwhile, easing concern about debt problems in Greece reduced demand for the dollar. The dollar’s decline in turn lifted demand for commodities, which become more attractive to foreign investors when the dollar falls since most of them are priced in dollars. Energy and materials stocks including Exxon Mobil Corp. were among the …

March 29th, 2010
Money maker
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