Market Watch 2/19/10

Stock Market Closing Prices – 2/19/10

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close – 10402.35 +9.35
Nasdaq Stock Market Close – 2243.87 +2.16
S&P 500 Close – 1109.17 +2.42

Commodities Closing Prices – 2/19/10

Gold Close – 1121.30 +3.30
Oil Close – 79.81 +1.01
Natural Gas – 5.04

Stocks end strong week with modest climb as Fed starts to remove emergency measures for banks.

In economic news, The Federal Reserve seems likely to keep interest rates at record lows for several more months after news Friday that consumer prices excluding food and energy fell in January, first monthly drop since 1982.

A report from the Mortgage Bankers Association provided mixed news about the housing market, which has shown recent signs of stabilizing. The group said the number of borrowers falling behind on their mortgage payments for the first time dropped sharply during the fourth quarter. However a record number of people remain behind on payments or in foreclosure.

Next week,

Fed chief Ben Bernanke on Capitol Hill for two days

Nordstrom Inc.
Home Depot
Macy’s