US stocks end higher despite dismal economic data

Wall Street withstood another stream of bad economic readings today, closing sharply higher as investors shuttled between pessimism about the recession and hopes that the nation might start seeing relief soon. The major indexes saw big swings throughout the day, but all closed up more than 2%, giving the market its second straight advance.

The day’s downbeat news included a drop in productivity, a pullback in the services sector and the Federal Reserve’s finding of worsening economic conditions across the US Investors were initially disheartened by each piece of news but soon shook off their disappointment – until the next dismal report was issued.