Markets Strong as Earnings Reports Continue (F, GOOG)

Stocks were strong today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by nearly a full percentage point. This in spite of the fact that the S&P Case-Schiller index found that house prices fell again in February. The markets were more likely responding to another round of strong earnings reports, with Ford’s (F) being among the most notable as they had their best quarter since 1998. Consumer confidence is also up, as inflation expectations have waned. In advertising news, Google (GOOG) conducted a study which found that smartphone users who view mobile ads take an action almost 50 percent of the time.

Word on the Street

• A round of strong earnings reports boosted stocks today.
• There is a notable amount of dissension in the ranks of the Federal Reserve.
• Gold and silver are down from their recent peaks.
• House prices were down again in February.
• Ford (F) had its best quarter in more than a decade.
• US consumer confidence is rising.
• According to a recent Google (GOOG) study, smartphone users are very responsive to mobile ads.

Interesting Tidbits

• If you are in B2B, you should focus on your customer’s customer.
• If it’s been too long since you received a raise, this helpful guide may be what you need.

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