Indices ended well into green territory on Friday. The Dow and S&P 500 closed at new record levels. Energy brands led the way up on encouraging economic news. Consumer confidence is up this month. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index increased to a better-than-expected 83.7. Hitting the highest level since September 2007, and up from 76.4 in April, economists were expecting a reading of 78 in May. Meanwhile, the Conference Board Index of Leading Indicators showed a 0.6% jump in April. The results exceeded an expected increase of 0.2%. Looking elsewhere, crude oil futures tacked on 94 cents today to settle at $96.10 a barrel.
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