U.S. stocks rise on fewer jobless claims

Date: Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 12:01 PM

U.S. STOCKS RISE ON FEWER JOBLESS CLAIMS    
U.S. stocks gain, fueled by a better-than-expected jobless figure and robust same-store sales from a handful of retailers. 

RETAIL JUNE SALES A MIXED BAG AMID OUTLOOK WORRY  
Retailers posted mixed June sales on Thursday as a boost from hot weather–induced buying and a shift in the timing of Memorial Day sales was offset by a string of disappointing economic reports that have hurt consumer confidence and led some to pull back on spending. 

SHOPPERS CAN'T SHAKE RECESSION WORRIES  
It looks like economic gloom has overtaken the consumer. 

DOW'S GAINS MAY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD
After the longest string of losses in nearly two years for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, one might think investors should be happy with any advance. Some gains, however, can end up doing more harm than good,

JOBLESS CLAIMS FALL 21,000 TO 454,000 
The number of people filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits sank 21,000 in the latest week to a still-high 454,000, maintaining a recent see-saw pattern.