U.S. stocks advance on economic views

Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:00:58 -0400

U.S. STOCKS ADVANCE ON ECONOMIC VIEWS
U.S. stocks consolidate Monday's early gains, led by the material and
energy sectors within the S&P 500 index, following a government report
of a small increase in personal spending last month that also show
benign inflation.

RISKS FROM GOV'T-HELD FINANCIALS SHOWN IN IRELAND
The rally in government-held financials makes some sense, but the
downturn on Monday in Irish financials shows the risks as well.

TREASURY PLANS TO SELL 7.7 BLN CITI SHARES IN 2010
DC- The Treasury Department plans to sell 7.7 billion shares of
Citigroup Inc. common stock throughout 2010 based on a "pre-arranged"
plan, according to a statement from the agency Monday.

FINANCIAL SHARES UP; TREASURY TO SELL CITI SHARES
Financial stocks were mostly in the positive territory Monday,
unperturbed by news that the Treasury Department will begin to unwind
its sizeable stake in Citigroup this year. See full story.