Market Update Report 2/20/2014

The KUIK Market Update for Thursday, February 20:
Markets are up.
Index Direction Change Units Last Time Change
Dow Up                     57 points           16,098 7:52 AM
S&P500 Up 0.29% percent             1,834             5.24
Nasdaq Composite Up 0.28% percent             4,250            11.83
30 Year Treasury Up                       2 Basis Points               3.73 Annual Yield
The U.S. flash purchasing managers’ index  rose to 56.7 in February, up from January’s three month low of 53.7, for the fastest overall improvement in conditions since May 2010. Readings above 50 indicate expansion.  The report showed the largest rise in backlogs of work seen since prior to the financial crisis, as well as drop in inventories.
The Labor Department reports initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 3000 to a seasonally adjusted 336,000 in the week ended Feb. 15.  That was close to economists’ prediction of 335,000.
Up for a second week. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 4.33% in the week ended Feb. 20 from 4.28% in the week before, according to Freddie Ma. A year ago, the rate was at 3.56%.  The 15-year fixed-rate  rose to 3.35% from 3.33%.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for AM 1360 KUIK.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-markit-flash-pmi-jumps-to-567-in-february-2014-02-20
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/energy-costs-lift-consumer-prices-in-january-2014-02-20
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/30-year-mortgage-rate-rises-to-433-2014-02-20-9915955
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