Equities have finally put up decent-enough returns on the year to make the paltry yields on bonds almost impossible to tolerate. With rates so low now, more and more investors are moving out of fixed income and back into the stock market. [Video]
Solid quarterly earnings and anticipation of more stimulus from the Fed have helped lift the Dow by 400 points over the past two weeks. However, another boost is coming from individuals who've begun moving money from bonds to equities.
Stocks closed mixed Friday as another round of solid third-quarter earnings reports was checked by rising anxiety about the dollar. Despite the uncertainty, stocks pulled off their third straight week of gains.
Stocks kicked off the final quarter of the year with moderate gains Friday as more encouraging data on consumer spending, consumer sentiment and auto sales were partly offset by a slowdown in manufacturing activity.
If it feels like stocks haven't gone anywhere in months, well, that's because they haven't. Traders in New York say there's good reason for the late summer doldrums, though a change in sentiment may arrive with the cooler weather.
Earnings season gave a lift to stocks, but now the market is focused again on the global economy and U.S. macroeconomic issues. But even in a market like this one that's stuck in a trading range, investors can find ways to profit. [With video]