Back to school profits

Back to school retailers got the markets off on the right foot this morning. Led by Wal-Mart, whose August same-store sales smashed expectations. Shares gained 1%. Target also reported better-than-expected sales growth, and its shares rose 2.1%. At one point today, crude-oil futures were about $77 a barrel, but closed as $76.30. Apple decided to cut the price of their iphone by $200, in hopes of increasing sales. I think I will give it a closer look now. DJIA +57.88 Nasdaq +8.37 S&P 500 +6.26