Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/54597
10B Daily News – Saturday, February 4, 2012 MON.-FRI. 9:00-5:30 • SAT. 9:00 -5:00 • CLOSED SUNDAYS FURNITURE DEPOT MATTRESS NORTH VALLEY NEW YORK (AP) — A drop in the unemployment rate to its lowest level in three years propelled stocks higher Friday. The Dow MON.-THURS. 9:00-6:00 • FRI. 9:00-7:00 • SAT. 9:00-5:00 • SUN. 11:00-5:00 235 So. Main St., Red Bluff 527-1657 632 Main St., Red Bluff 527-5837 Jones industrial average jumped more than 130 points, drawing the average to its highest mark since before the financial crisis hit in 2008. The Nasdaq index reached levels last seen in December 2000. Mattress Sets & Adjustable Bed PUMPKINLAND Chocolate Company Solid Milk or Dark Chocolate Valentines including ~ Lollipops (Roses • Cupid) ~ Heart Boxes ~ Decorated Valentines numerous sizes & designs & Sugar-free Chocolates Boxed Assortments Gift Trays Brittles Chocolate-Covered Nuts & Espresso Beans Caramel Corn Salt Water Taffy Phone orders welcome - we ship (5 miles South of Red Bluff) 530 527-3026 12000 Hwy. 99E Holiday hours: Feb. 4-14 10:00-5:30 daily Winter hours: Feb. 15 Till Asparagus season opens Thurs - Tues 10:00-5:30 Closed Wed. Milk, Dark, White Before the market opened, the Labor Depart- ment said companies hired 243,000 employees in Janu- ary. That's the strongest job growth in nine months. The increase in hiring pushed the unemployment rate down to 8.3 percent. The surprising data gave stocks a morning jolt. The Dow shot up 161 points in early trading before drifting slightly lower. ''In this economy only said Lawrence Creatura, an 604 Main St. Red Bluff Financing & Delivery Available • FREE pillows • FREE delivery • FREE disposal With purchase of Tempurpedic mattress sets only. Stocks jump on strong jobs report for January Wall Street equity portfolio manager at Federated Investors. ''This report was great news. It was beyond all expectations, literally. The number (243,000 hired in January) was higher than even the highest forecast.'' The Standard & Poor's one variable matters right now and that variable is employment,'' 500 index added 17 points to 1,342, a half hour before the close. That's a gain of 1.3 percent. The S&P 500 is on track to rise for the fifth straight week, the longest weekly winning streak since January of 2011. It's up 6.8 percent so far this year. More evidence that the economy is gaining strength followed the jobs report. A trade group said the service industry expanded at the fastest pace since last February. The government also said facto- ry orders rose 1.1 percent in December, supported by a rebound in orders for heavy machinery. In other trading, the Dow gained 131 points to 12,836, an increase of 1 percent. Bank of America Corp. led the Dow, rising 4.3 percent. Only three stocks were lower: Merck, Procter & Gamble and Pfizer. The Nasdaq composite added 43 points, or 1.5 per- cent, to 2,902. Breakfast: (530) 529-5154 www.redblufflosmariachis.com Mon-Fri 9am-11am Lunch & Dinner: Mon-Thurs 9am-9pm Fri-Sat-Sun 9am-9:30pm Buy One Burrito Get the 2nd 1/2 PRICE! On items of equal or lesser value. Cannot be used with other specials. Limit to one coupon per person or group per day. Good through March 31, 2012