Why the S&P 500 is beating the Dow in the rally

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009

Why the S&P 500 is beating the Dow in the rally

The S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are commonly
used to measure the performance of U.S. stocks, but the disparity in
the benchmarks' returns this year during the powerful rally highlights
their different approaches to tracking the market.

SEPTEMBER'S RESULTS MAY HOLD SOME HOLIDAY PROMISE

U.S. retailers deliver better-than-expected September sales, giving
hope that business may be picking up heading into the crucial holiday
selling period.

GOLD TAPS FRESH RECORD ABOVE $1,050

Gold futures extend their New York gains into a fifth session, with both the
October and December contracts eclipsing the $1,050 mark on an intraday basis.

AUSTRALIA JOBS DATA, ALCOA PROFIT LIFT ASIA STOCKS

Most Asian markets rally as stronger-than-expected jobs data from
Australia, buoyant commodity prices and news of Alcoa's return to
profit spur investors' appetite for risk.

GOLD'S RISE IN EURO, POUND MUTED AS BUCK DROPS

Gold's performance in the euro, British pound and other currencies has
been lackluster compared to its rise valued in U.S. dollars, a trend
that suggests investors are more interested in bullion as a hedge
against the greenback than global inflation.