If you notice that you're starting to speak with a slightly British accent,it isn't surprising,given the royal wedding mania that has swept through the televised world.And why shouldn't it have,given the tough row most people have to hoe?A diversion like that is a welcome relief for the average person.It's an extra holiday.
For its part,the market was living out its own fairy story this week,as corporate earnings continued to please,for the most part.When good earnings are rolling in,economic reality such as poor housing figures and persistently high unemployment may be shoved aside for a while.
Analysts caution,however,that gains in the second half of the year could slow down quite a bit as companies find it increasingly difficult to post the type of results that characterized the last few years.
For the week,however,the Dow was up 2.44,while the S&P rose 1.95 and the NASDAQ 1.89.The Dow and S&P closed at their highest since 2008,and the NASDAQ hasn't been this elevated since the year 2000.
Next week,the earnings parade goes on as General Motors,Pfizer,Kraft Foods and AIG share their results for Q1.The Institute for Supply Management will release its April purchasing manager surveys,and the unemployment report will close out the week.
Stock futures were largely positive Friday evening,with the S&P futures up 4.80,the Dow futures adding 48.00 and the NASDAQ retreating a little,down 1.00.
Winter isn't retreating in some areas.Blizzard warnings are up for the Northern Plains.As much as nine inches of snow are expected in northern North Dakota and adjacent areas.
Kraft Foods(KFT),General Motors(GM),Pfizer(PFE),American International Group(AIG)
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