Dow Up 87; Gains for March

Markets may be leveling out, though gains are fragile

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 31, 2009 3:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – Stocks posted gains today as the first quarter came to a close, the Wall Street Journal reports. While the April earnings season and the results of the Treasury’s stress tests threaten to shatter equities’ recent gains, signs of economic stabilization made March a relatively good month. The Dow rose 86.90 to close at 7,608.92. The Nasdaq gained 26.79, settling at 1,528.59, and the S&P 500 added 10.34 to close at 797.87.

For March, the Dow gained 7.7%, the Nasdaq added 10.9%, and the S&P 500 rose 8.5%.

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Specialist Igor Lerner of Barclays Capital, center, works with traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange today. (AP Photo)

Andrew Mayers of LaBranche & Co. works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in this undated file photo. (AP Photo)

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This isn't a rip-roaring bull market. But you have definitely had a change in perception. People are more likely to buy on weakness rather than sell into strength. That's a healthy change. - Marc Pado, Cantor Fitzgerald

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Dow Up 87; Gains for March