The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in February, improved sharply in March. The Index now stands at 125.6 (1985=100), up from 116.1 in February. The Present Situation Index rose from 134.4 to 143.1 and the Expectations Index increased from 103.9 last month to 113.8.

Tuesday, the Dow gained 150.52 points (0.73%) to finish at
20,701.50, the NASDAQ closed 34.77 points (0.60%) higher at 5,875.14, and the
S&P 500 increased 16.98 points (0.73%) to 2,358.57. The Russell 2000 was up
9.94 points (0.73%) at 1,367.26, and the Wilshire 5000 climbed 177.83 points
(0.73%) to 24,531.03.

On the NYSE, 3.1 billion shares traded, with advancing
issues outnumbering declining issues nearly 3 to 1. On the NASDAQ, 2.9 billion
shares changed hands, with a 1.6 to 1 ratio of advancers to decliners.

The price of the 10-year Treasury note decreased 12/32,
bringing its yield up to 2.418%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond fell
25/32, increasing its yield to 3.025%.

ON THIS DATE: In 1638, the first permanent European settlement in Delaware was established. In 1848, Niagara Falls stopped flowing for one day due to an ice jam. In 1943, in the U.S., rationing of meat, butter and cheese began during World War II. In 1961, the 23rd amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment allowed residents of Washington, D.C., to vote for president. In 1971, a jury in Los Angeles recommended the death penalty for Charles Manson and three female followers for the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders. The death sentences were later commuted to life in prison. In 1973, the last U.S. troops left South Vietnam. In 1974, Mariner 10, the U.S. space probe became the first spacecraft to reach the planet Mercury. In 1979, the Committee on Assassinations Report issued by U.S. House of Representatives stated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was the result of a conspiracy. In 1983, Erno Rubik was granted a patent for his Magic Cube. In 1993, Clint Eastwood won his first Oscars for best film and best director for the film “Unforgiven.” In 1995, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment that would have limited terms to 12 years in the U.S. House and Senate.

WEDNESDAY WISDOM: “It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.”—Rene Descartes, French philosopher