Dow Closes Above 11000

More good news about the economy: For the first time since the beginning of the financial crisis, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 11000 today, hinting at solid first-quarter earnings for investors. The blue-chip index ended up 8.62 with a 0.2 percent increase to 11005.97. Economically sensitive stocks such as Caterpillar, General Electric, and Chevron all showed gains of at least 1.4 percent. This is an optimistic showing for other indexes including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, as analysts expect companies will show profits. “Nobody ever thought we’d ever get near this level this fast,” William J. Schultz, chief investment officer for McQueen, Ball & Associates, told The New York Times. “Lacking any negative news out of companies, the rally will likely continue.”