Market Watch 12/21/2009

Stock Market Closing Prices - 12/21/09

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close - 10414.44 +85.25
Nasdaq Stock Market Close - 2237.66 +25.97
S&P 500 Close - 1114.05 +11.58

Commodities Closing Prices - 12/21/09

Gold Close – 1093.4
Oil Close - 72.46
Natural Gas Close - 5.67

U.S. stocks mounted a broad advance Monday after a key healthcare reform bill advanced in the Senate and brokerages upgraded Dow components Intel Corp and Alcoa Inc on improving profit prospects.

Stocks got an early boost Monday after French drug maker Sanofi-Aventis SA announced plans to buy U.S. health care products company Chattem Inc. for $1.9 billion, while mining equipment maker Bucyrus International Inc. said it planned to buy Terex Corp.'s mining equipment division for $1.3 billion. Dutch automaker Spyker Cars submitted a new offer to buy Saab from General Motors Co.

Market analysis said the flurry of corporate deal activity is an encouraging sign of strength in the economy.
All these events caused the stock market to push towards 2009 highs. Tomorrow, we will see some key economic data such as existing home sales.