Market Watch 1/7/10

Stock Market Closing Prices – 1/7/10
Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close – 10606.86 +33.18
Nasdaq Stock Market Close – 2300.05 -1.04
S&P 500 Close – 1141.69 +4.55

Commodities Closing Prices – 1/7/10

Gold Close – 1133.10
Oil Close – 82.30
Natural Gas – 5.85

Investors' cautious optimism about the job market gave stocks a modest lift Thursday, one day before the government's report on December employment.

Stocks closed mostly higher after many retailers issued upbeat holiday sales figures and the Labor Department reported a leveling of the number of newly laid-off workers applying for unemployment benefits.

The Financials were on fire again .

Some overseas markets fell after China took steps to limit lending and prevent its economy from overheating. Traders fear the moves could affect economic growth around the world.

Tomorrow’s reports:
Nonfarm payrolls
Wholesale inventories
Consumer credit