Payroll Company: The Standard Poor

The Standard Poor: The Dow Jones industrial average was up 21 points, or 0.1 per cent, at 14,952 shortly before noon Thursday, according to Times Colonist. The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week dropped to a five-year low. Also the payroll company ADP reported that private sector employment rose by 176,000 jobs last month and NEW YORK, N.Y. - Stocks are edging higher on Wall Street after some positive news about the U.S. jobs market and higher sales from major store chains. The Standard Poor's 500 index was up three points, or 0.2 per cent, at 1,656. The Nasdaq composite was up 11 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 3,660. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.