Modest Gains

Friday’s session ended in positive territory. Boeing, Hewlett-Packard, United Technologies and Walt Disney led Dow advancers. Stocks posted modest gains today amid mixed news. Consumer confidence is on the wane this month. In a preliminary reading, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell 8.8 points to 54.9. Encouraging retail sales for July provided some balance to the confidence dip news. The Commerce Department reported that sales climbed 0.5% last month, following a 0.3% jump in June. On another note, crude oil slipped 34 cents to settle at $85.38 a barrel.

Disclosures:

All material presented is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The contents are intended for general information purposes only. Information provided should not be the sole basis in making any decisions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional, such as a tax consultant, insurance adviser or attorney. Although this material is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with respect to the subject matter, it may not apply in all situations. Readers are urged to consult with their adviser concerning specific situations and questions. This is not to be construed as an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments. It is not our intention to state, indicate or imply in any manner that current or past results are indicative of future profitability or expectations. As with all investments, there are associated inherent risks. Please obtain and review all financial material carefully before investing.