Economic reports may boost longevity of U.S. stock rally

Date: Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 12:01 PM

Economic reports may boost longevity of U.S. stock rally

A surprising pickup in demand for big-ticket manufactured goods as well as the
unexpected rise in new home sales last month are among the rays of hope
delivered Wednesday for the troubled economy and the stock market -- and
analysts say the recent rise in oil prices also underscores the potential
durability of Wall Street's rally.

GEITHNER DETAILS PLAN FOR 'TOO BIG TO FAIL' COMPANIES

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner unveils legislation to give the Treasury
Department authority to seize control of any financial institution whose
collapse would threaten the U.S. economy.

ECONOMIC REPORT: DURABLE-GOODS ORDERS JUMP IN FEBRUARY, SURPRISING ECONOMISTS

Demand for machinery and other capital goods rises in February, driving orders
for durable goods up 3.4%, the Commerce Department reports.

ECONOMIC REPORT: NEW-HOME SALES REBOUND 4.7% IN FEBRUARY, FIRST GAIN SINCE JULY

Sales of new homes nationwide rebounded by 4.7% in February after hitting a
record low in the prior month, the Commerce Department reports.

U.K.'S BROWN DOWNPLAYS FISCAL RIFT, WARNS AGAINST PROTECTIONISM

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warns that protectionism poses the biggest
risk to a recovery from a global economic downturn and downplays a warning from
his own nation's central bank over government spending.