Dow at highest point since 2008
U.S. stocks capped off a solid week on either side of the break even line Friday, as investors hesitated to make big bets ahead of a key vote on a second bailout for Greece.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) rose 46 points, or 0.4%, closing at the highest level since May 2008. The S&P 500 (SPX) edged up 3 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq (COMP) lost 8 points, or 0.3%.
Investors are optimistic that European finance ministers will sign off on Greece’s latest economic reform proposal when they meet Monday. Their approval is needed in order for Greece to receive bailout funds and avoid default on a €14.5 billion bond redemption in March.
But until they receive official word, investors are taking a breather going into the long weekend and Monday’s big meeting.
“From an investor’s perspective, European leaders have over-promised and under-delivered over and over for the past several months,” said Michael Sheldon, chief market strategist at RDM Financial Group. “Until we see some signatures on a dotted line, there are still questions about Europe’s ability to contain its issues.”