Thursday

The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted strong gains today, driven by good earnings reports and data showing improving manufacturing conditions in the Midwest. The measure's top performer was American Express, up 3.3% for the day. Concerns over euro-zone debt eased on reports that German leaders were moving closer to fast-tracking an $11 billion package of German aid for Greece. That news pushed the euro higher against the dollar. DJIA +122.05 Nasdaq +40.19 S&P 500 +15.42.