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NEW YORK (AP) — The major stock indexes rose Monday, as momen- tum shifted in favor of the reappointment of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Investors want a sign that Bernanke will remain in control of the Fed because that would make a big shift in interest rate pol- icy far less likely. Democratic Sens. Max Baucus of Montana, chair- man of the Senate Finance Committee, and Dianne Feinstein of California said Monday they would sup- port his appointment. Pres- idential adviser David Axelrod said Bernanke has enough votes to be con- firmed. Last week, several Senators expressed doubt about Bernanke's reap- pointment, which had seemed assured. The Dow Jones industri- al average rose 24 points after losing 552 points over the previous three days. The Dow skidded from Wednesday to Friday of last week as President Barack Obama stepped up his campaign to tighten oversight of banks. Signs last week that Bernanke's appointment could be in trouble contributed to the big drop. Bernanke's term expires on Sunday, and the Senate is expected to vote on his reappointment this week. Bernanke was a key player in guiding the nation through the worst financial crisis since the 1930s, and has pledged to keep interest rates low to stimulate the economy. That has helped boost the stock and bond markets while also provid- ing a steady supply of cheap funding to banks. Many traders don't want to see a change because that would bring another set of unknowns for a market already burdened by uncer- tainty about the economy. Technology shares could get a boost Tuesday from Apple Inc., which said after the closing bell that its profit jumped near- ly 50 percent for the final three months of 2009 as it sold more Mac computers. Trading in the stock was halted after hours. Russell Croft, portfolio manager at Croft Leomin- ster Investment Manage- ment in Baltimore, said questions about what will happen with Bernanke as well as bank regulation and possible changes to health care have brought concerns that Washington will spoil a recovery. ''Anytime you get the political haranguing going on — worries about the Fed chief or whatever — it's obviously going to spook the markets,'' Croft said. According to prelimi- nary calculations, the Dow rose 23.88, or 0.2 percent, to 10,196.86 after being up as much as 84 points. The fluctuations were modest, however, after a five straight days in which the Dow moved by more than 100 points. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 5.02, or 0.5 percent, to 1,096.78, while the Nasdaq composite index rose 5.51, or 0.3 per- cent, to 2,210.80. Bond prices fell, push- ing yields higher. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, rose to 3.64 percent from 3.61 percent late Friday. The questions about Bernanke's reappointment came as Fed policymakers are set to gather for the first meeting of the year on interest-rate policy. The two-day meeting starts Tuesday. The Fed is expect- ed to hold rates at record lows, so investors will be examining the accompany- ing statement from the Fed for clues about when the central bank might begin to raise rates. Investors will get a rush of earnings and economic reports during the week to help determine how the economy is faring. Most earnings have topped analysts' expecta- tions, but unlike in recent quarters, that has not helped send stocks higher. Traders are paying more attention to specifics within earnings reports, such as revenue growth, and forecasts rather than seizing on a better- than-expected profit as a reason to buy shares. Dozens of companies will report earnings throughout the week, including Amazon Inc., AT&T Inc. and Johnson & Johnson. Apple rose $5.32, or 2.7 percent, to 203.07 and trading was halted after hours. The dollar was mixed against other major curren- cies, while gold rose. Crude oil rose 72 cents to $75.26 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Three stocks rose for every two that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.1 billion shares, compared with 1.5 billion Friday. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 0.99, or 0.2 percent, to 618.11. Stocks slid overseas, with shares falling in Asia on concerns about banks. The Bank of China said it plans to raise billions of dollars to replenish capital and meet new government requirements. Tuesday, January 26, 2010 – Daily News – 5A Come in and check out our $ 4 99 Lunch Specials We are open and NOT CLOSING Mon thru Fri 11-3 200 So. Main St. Red Bluff, Ca 529-9488 Smog Check starting at $ 29 95 (most cars and pick-ups) Pass or FREE retest COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR + cert. All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. 100 Belle Mill Road 527-6789 Fran's Hallmark Fran is retiring See store for details St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Auxiliary A member of CHW 530.529.8002 redbluff.mercy.org Sierra Nevada Brewing Company The Body Projex Fitness Camp The Pepsi Bottling Group Mt. Shasta Water Coca Cola Bell-Carter Olives Pactiv Corporation Burnsini Vineyard Raley's Vidal Vineyards New Clairvaux Winery Alpen Cellars Trader Joes Mercy High School Starbuck's Coffee Red Bluff High School Grocery Outlet The Young Marines Linzee International Corp. Linda Durrer The volunteers at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital would like to thank everyone who gave so generously of their time and efforts. We wish to extend a special thank you to the staff & their friends at Starbucks (on Adobe Rd.), Mercy High School students, Red Bluff High School students and The young Marine Corps. We could not provide the level of service given without you. Our biggest thank you is reserved for our community. Your generous outpouring of support and donations will allow us to fulfill our commitment to purchase new cardiac care equipment for our hospital. Special Thank you to our Sponsors: Dr. Frank Greene • Rolling Hills Casino • Red Bluff Daily News • Tehama Family Fitness Center Beverly Ross - County Clerk & Recorder This fundraiser continues to be a true testimony of a community working together for the good of all. Stocks turn higher as Bernanke's prospects improve Wall Street