The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Discussion

November 2, 2012

U.S. stocks rise on strong economic data

The Associated Press Associated Press

NORMAN — It’s only been a day, but November on Wall Street is already looking a lot better than October.

Strong economic data and corporate news converged Thursday to give U.S. stocks their best day since mid-September. Positive signs about the job market and soaring sales figures pushed stock futures up before the market opened. A half-hour into trading, reports on manufacturing and consumer confidence added another log to the fire.

The Dow Jones industrial average had already risen 100 points when the mid-morning reports came out. The data — including news that manufacturing grew for the second straight month — pushed it up as much as 177 points. It fell back some, but held a steady gain for the rest of the day.

The Dow closed up 136.16 points, or 1 percent, at 13,232.62. It was the best day for the Dow since Sept. 13.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 15.43 points, or 1.1 percent, to 1,427.59. The Nasdaq composite index added 42.83, or 1.4 percent, to 3,020.06.

All three indexes fell in October, their first monthly losses since May.

The 10 a.m. surge came after the Institute for Supply Management said factories are seeing more new orders and increased production. The index has shown growth for the first two months of this quarter, an encouraging sign about the health of corporate America. Before that, manufacturing had decreased for three straight months.

The Conference Board said Americans’ confidence in the economy surged last month to the highest level in nearly five years. Many were encouraged by an improving job market, the group said.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • Experts say that residents should have emergency preparedness plans

    Though tornado season rolls into Oklahoma year in and year out, unpredictably dangerous twisters catch many who have no emergency plan off-guard, resulting in injuries or death....

    June 19, 2013

  • Defendant found guilty in manslaughter trial

    After only a few hours of deliberating, a Cleveland County jury found Cole Hopper guilty of manslaughter Tuesday afternoon. The jury has recommended a sentence of nine years....

    June 19, 2013

  • Council questions NCVB budget

    The Norman City Council wants more details from the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau on how it plans to spend the extra $200,000 in transient guest tax next year. At Tuesday’s study session, council members questioned a lack of ...

    June 19, 2013

  • 10 attorneys remain in running for judge post

    Ten attorneys are vying for the district judge seat being vacated by longtime Cleveland County Judge Tom Lucas, records show....

    June 19, 2013

  • Woman allegedly embezzled $16K

    A Noble woman was charged Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court after allegedly embezzling from a storage unit company in Moore. Tina Sue O’Kelly, 46, allegedly embezzled $16,199.14 from American Self Storage, 1701 Tower Drive. ...

    June 19, 2013

  • Critique club welcomes writers

    Do you have a secret goal of being a writer? Is there a story in your soul, ready to burst forth? You might be surprised to discover more than 90 percent of the population say they have a hidden desire to write book. Fewer than one ...

    June 19, 2013

  • Tornado 1 Norman fire chief says public storm facilities don’t offer adequate protection

    Oklahomans are always going to need a safe place to take cover when severe weather hits, as it so often does during the spring and summer months, but officials have found many problems tied to public shelters....

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • NPS budget anticipates $91M revenue

    The Norman Board of Education approved a Fiscal Year 2014 budget Monday that exceeds expected revenue by $3.1 million....

    June 18, 2013

  • County approves funding for nonprofit services

    Cleveland County commissioners approved agreements and funding for the Women’s Resource Center for $40,000 and with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for $62,000. Those agencies provide court services, commissioners said....

    June 18, 2013

  • Medical witness says Bransby could not have survived gunshot wound

    Evidence presented Monday during Day 4 of a manslaughter trial in Cleveland County District Court indicates that victim Kelsey Bransby was shot at close range. Bransby, 19, was found unconscious a few hours after being shot in the head on ...

    June 18, 2013