First Decade of the 21st Century Closes with Stocks Up

Markets Up at Year's End

Closing at 11577.51, the Dow closed out 2010 about 11% higher than it started the year. While it does not mean that the economy is back on track, closing out the second consecutive year on the up-swing is a sign that confidence in the economy is returning.

The highest close for 2010 came at the mid point of the year at just a little less than 8 points higher than the close on December 31^st. The year was not without its ups and downs; however, including something of a “flash crash” in May, as well as some dips as concern was raised over the financial picture in several European countries like Greece.

The NASDAQ was also up as we closed out the first decade of the 21^st century with about a 17% increase for the year. The S&P 500 came in second for annual growth, among the 3 indicators, with about a 13% bump to close the year.