Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/8563
8B – Daily News – Thursday, April 1, 2010 MATTRESS NO NORTH VALLEY MON.-FRI. 9:00-5:30 • SAT. 9:00 -5:00 • CLOSED SUNDAYS 632 Main St., Red Bluff 527-5837 NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market is taking some ages-old advice to heart: everything in moder- ation. Stocks on Wednesday ended a first quarter that many investors and analysts would describe as healthy. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up 4.9 percent by amassing a string of steady gains that were far from the supersized jumps seen in 2009. The Dow Jones industrials are up 4.1 per- cent, but with unremarkable gains of 50 points here and 15 there. They’ve had few of the triple-digit swings that used to be common- place. The market’s relative tranquility has made many analysts upbeat about the chances that its gains will hold. They say investors now have realistic, not overoptimistic, expecta- tions. And the market has gotten used to the idea of a bumpy economic recovery, including the continuing struggles of the housing market. But analysts warn, for stocks to extend their January-March gains, investors will need to see employers hiring again. Even then, the market is expected to take its time. ‘‘Like any sprinter, at Tortoise rally: Stocks have slow but big 1Q gain Wall Street Sale some point you’ve got to put your hands on your knees and take a deep breath,’’ said John Lynch, chief market analyst at Evergreen Investments in Charlotte, N.C. ‘‘That’s why we’ve seen these mild advances in recent weeks — consistent but mild.’’ A by-the-numbers look at the advance that some traders have called the ‘‘tor- toise rally’’: — The Dow fell 51 points, or 0.5 percent, to 10,856.63 Wednesday but still posted its best first quarter since 1999. It has risen four straight quarters. It is approaching 11,000 for the first time in a year and a half. It’s up 9.6 percent after falling to 9,908.39 on Feb. 8. The quarter has padded the Dow’s huge 2009 gain, putting the average 65.8 percent above the 12-year low of 6,547.05 it reached on March 9 of last year. However, it’s still down 23.4 percent from its Octo- ber 2007 peak of 14,164.53. — The broader S&P 500 index fell 3.84, or 0.3 per- cent, to 1,169.43 Wednes- day but rose 4.9 percent for the first quarter and 5.4 per- cent including dividends. It’s the index’s best first- quarter since 1998. For the past 12 months, it’s up 46.6 percent. S&P says the index is up about 53.6 percent when dividends are includ- ed. — The Nasdaq compos- ite index fell 12.73, or 0.5 percent, to 2,397.96 Wednesday. It rose 5.7 per- cent for the quarter, largely on the strength of compa- nies like Apple Inc., which rose 11.5 percent. Overall, the tech stocks that domi- nate the Nasdaq had a more modest quarter. — The top performer in the S&P 500 index during the first quarter was Zions Bancorp. It surged 70.2 per- cent. — The S&P stock with the biggest price drop was H&R Block Inc. The tax preparer fell 21.3 percent. — Industrial stocks had the biggest advance among S&P 500 segments. They rose 12.5 percent on expec- tations that growth in places like China will continue and that spending on everything from roads to equipment will pick up. — Financial stocks, which have led the market in the past year, rose 10.8 percent as banks repair their balance sheets. * Thru Wed. March 31, 2010 *”no sales tax” in reference to discount given equal to the amount of calculated sales tax. ROUND-UP Red Bluff Weekend - Events Itinerary and Guide - 7,000 copies Published as an insert to The Daily News Wednesday, April 14 2,000 additional local distribution through Sunday April 18: Restaurants ★ Hotels ★ Weekend Event Sites Participating Local Businesses ★ Fairgrounds This magazine-size special section will reach and excite those folks already planning to attend Red Bluff’s “crown jewel” event – and the final Community events leading up to it; the mixer, the parade and more. Distribution will be through the Daily News, with additional freestanding distribution to reach non-subscribers and visitors. Here’s a low-cost, last minute option to “brand” your business with the Round-Up, and let folks from out of town know that you’re here – particularly valuable for restaurants, hotels and western-oriented retail businesses. Deadline for Space Reservations: Monday, April 5 at 5 PM ! Contact your Daily News Advertising Rep TODAY! 527-2151 D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY