In January, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged on a seasonally adjusted (SA) basis; rising 1.6% over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted (NSA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2% in January, SA; up 2.2% over the year, NSA.

Real average hourly earnings increased 0.2% over the month in January, SA. Average hourly earnings increased 0.1% and CPI-U was unchanged. Real average weekly earnings increased 0.1% over the month.

Wednesday, the Dow gained 117.51 points (0.46%) to finish at 25,543.27, the NASDAQ was up 5.76 points (0.08%) at 7,420.38, and the S&P 500 increased 8.30 points (0.30%) to 2,753.03. The Russell 2000 was up 4.71 points (0.31%) at 1,542.94, and the Wilshire 5000 closed 86.05 points (0.30%) higher at 28,548.54.

The price of the 10-year Treasury note was down 6/32, increasing its yield to 2.706%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond decreased 11/32, bringing its yield up to 3.040%.

ON THIS DATE: In 1803, Moses Coates received a patent for the apple parer. In 1849, the first photograph of a U.S. president, while in office, was taken by Matthew Brady in New York City. President James Polk was the subject of the picture. In 1859, Oregon became the 33rd member of the Union. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell filed an application for a patent for the telephone. In 1899, Congress approved voting machines for use in federal elections. In 1903, the Department of Commerce and Labor was established. In 1912, Arizona was admitted as the 48th U.S. state. In 1920, the League of Women Voters was founded in Chicago. The first president of the organization was Maude Wood Park. In 1929, the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” took place in Chicago. Seven gangsters who were rivals of Al Capone were killed. In 1946, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was unveiled. The device, built at the University of Pennsylvania, was the world’s first general purpose electronic computer. In 1966, Rick Mount of Lebanon, Indiana, became the first high school, male athlete to be pictured on the cover of “Sports Illustrated”. In 1966, Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia 76ers set a National Basketball Association (NBA) record as he reached a career high of 20,884 points after seven seasons. In 1980, Walter Cronkite announced his retirement from the “CBS Evening News.” In 2005, the video-sharing website YouTube was activated.

No SURVEY SAYS this week.