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VOL. 36 | NO. 16 | Friday, April 20, 2012
National Business
Strong earnings from AT&T, 3M lift Dow average
DANIEL WAGNER, AP Business Writer
The Dow Jones industrial average is closing higher after several companies in the index reported strong quarterly earnings.
Five of the 30 stocks in the Dow rose 1.5 percent or more. AT&T led the gains after reporting better-than-expected profit. Verizon was close behind. 3M rose sharply after delivering an impressive quarterly report. GE, DuPont and Caterpillar rounded out the list of top gainers.
The Dow closed up 74 points at 13,002. The S&P 500 index was up five at 1,372. The Nasdaq finished down 9 at 2,962.
The Nasdaq was dragged lower by Apple, which fell 2 percent. Apple will report earnings after the close.
About two stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was light at 3.6 billion shares.