Economic Data and Corporate Earnings

Dow Jones Industrial Average: The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 46 points, or just over 0.25 per cent, to close at 18,070, according to Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The broader S&P 500 added 6 points to 2,114. Map: United States Healthy corporate earnings and solid economic data helped Wall Street rise modestly overnight. On the economic data front, US factory orders in March hit their strongest level since July last year, rising by 2.1 per cent. Not everyone benefitting from reporting season though; McDonald stocks fell 1.7 per cent as the fast food giant unveiled plans to revive itself that left investors hungry for more. Finance stocks were among the best performers, unlike the Australian market recently, as Warren Buffet firm Berkshire Hathaway rose 1.6 per cent on healthy earnings. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.