The democrats are running out of election talking points if this keeps getting better, but I'm sure they will continue to keep making stuff up.


Stocks Jump After Jobs Boost
April 02, 2004 09:56:00 AM ET



By Bill Rigby

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose sharply on Friday as a surprisingly strong report on the U.S. job market reassured investors that the economic recovery is on track.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Sun Microsystems Inc. (SUNW) led technology stocks after announcing the settlement of a long-running legal dispute between the two tech heavyweights.

The government's monthly employment report showed jobs grew at their fastest pace in nearly four years, offering comfort that the jobs market has finally made a break higher.

About 308,000 jobs were created in March, according to the Labor Department, far outstripping economists' forecasts for a gain of about 103,000.

``It is a big positive surprise that provides more conviction that the economy will gain momentum in the second half,'' said Michael Metz, chief investment strategist at fund firm Oppenheimer & Co. ``I think a good figure was in the market, but a great figure was not.''

Computer and electronics seller Gateway Inc. (GTW) rose after it said on Thursday it would close its 188 stores and eliminate about 2,500 retail positions. Its shares jumped 78 cents, or 14.4 percent, to $6.19.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 100.15 points, or 0.97 percent, at 10,473.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 10.14 points, or 0.90 percent, at 1,142.31. The technology-focused Nasdaq Composite Index was up 36.12 points, or 1.79 percent, at 2,051.13.

Sun Micro jumped after it settled pending antitrust and patent litigation with Microsoft. Sun also said it would cut its staff by 3,300 jobs, or 10 percent, as it scales back operations. Sun Micro shares rose 49 cents, or 11.4 percent, to $4.69. Microsoft rose 51 cents, or 2 percent, to $25.57.

XM Satellite Radio (XMSR) shares leaped higher after it said on Thursday it added 320,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2004, bringing its total subscriber roles to 1.68 million. Its shares rose $2.31, or 8 percent, to $30.62. (Additional reporting by Elizabeth Lazarowitz, Brendan Intindola)

© 2004 Reuters

If it isn't his fault that they lost their jobs in the first place, how can he POSSIBLY lay claim to the credit for having created any???

Here's the deal...wasn't there a major grocery strike in California that just ended?? How many of those returning to work counted towards this miraculous number??

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The last time this country mixed politics with religion, people got burned at the stake.

there's that little issue of lying his ass off about invisible WMD and invading the wrong country......

Trust me, there's still plenty to talk about...plenty..

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The last time this country mixed politics with religion, people got burned at the stake.

...this issue is moot

In the last quarter of a presidents term, for some reason, is always the best in terms of the stock market. The market has been on a steady rise since November, and a lot has to do with national security. Now if we get attacked again, we will hit another recession and we can kiss our stock gains goodbye.

...but my point is, it has nothing to do with the president, as much as the democrates want it to.

Don't worry, the Bush record is dismal. I doubt the "Democrats" will run out of "targets" to discuss -- lol.

I truly hope the economy improves. I also hope that the underemployed and those who have stopped looking can find jobs too, and that a plan is developed to help the outsource bleeding. I am more interested in the health of our country than a political agenda. However, regardless of an "improvement" let me say that it my be in SPITE of Bush's moronic spend into oblivion irresponsible fiscal policy, not because of it.

Incidental, the Bush tax cut didn't do squat for me me this year. Just wanted to make the day for a few people on this forum who will be happy about that . Thanks for that "advanced tax credit" you let me have, Bush, you stupid ass ~ what a moron that guy is, more useless than a sack of cardboard hammers.

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"What does a former president's son know about the Iraq war anyway?"
-- GW Bush when asked about Ron Reagan's negative comments, 6/25/2004.
www.BushZombie.com

although there were more jobs created, the unemployment rate went up.

Do you believe that? Please, please, please let me see some research or some facts behind this supposition.

Would another attack on our country have an impact on our stock market? (which is going to happen thanks to the Muslim bee hive being hit with the Bush stick). Duh!

Did security CAUSE an uptick in the stock market? Double duh! Noooooooooo... OMG!

__________________
"What does a former president's son know about the Iraq war anyway?"
-- GW Bush when asked about Ron Reagan's negative comments, 6/25/2004.
www.BushZombie.com

It's the tax cut. That is what Bush did to help turn things around. And whether you like it or not, Bush gets credit for it. And it gives John Kerry one less thing he can harp on. In fact, he doesn't have many issues left. Other than, "I'm an elitist, rich snob with 5 houses, please vote for me".....he has nothing.

BTW, the settlement of the grocery strike was insignificant in that number.