Stock gains accelerated Thursday afternoon as falling commodity prices and signs of stabilization in the manufacturing sector gave investors an incentive to scoop up issues hit in the recent selloff.
An indicator of the economy's future performance fell for the fifth straight month in February, the first time that has happened since 2001, according to a report released Thursday.
Stocks rallied Thursday afternoon as falling commodity prices and signs of recovery in the manufacturing sector helped offset a surprise jump in jobless claims and a weak outlook from FedEx.
Want to invest in a green industry that employs the latest technology, reduces U.S. oil consumption and is priced very attractively? Look no further than the railroads. Laggards for decades after the 19th-century boom ended, they're hot again.