Midday Stock Market Update: Construction And Industrial Sector Get A Lift From Economic Reports

Positive news from both the real estate and manufacturing sectors had the combined effect of sending the markets and exchange traded funds (ETFs) higher. Will it make last week all but a distant memory?

September pending home sales jumped 6.1% as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of a government tax credit. The $8,000 credit for first-time homebuyers ends at the end of this month. The number of sales of previously owned homes are now at their highest level in more than two years, reports Alan Zibel for the Associated Press.

• iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction (ITB)

U.S. manufacturing activity grew at its fastest rate in more than three years in October. The surge was unexpected, although some noted that it’s still improving at a modest pace, reports The Wall Street Journal. Construction spending also rose by 0.8%, although Wall Street expected a decline.

• Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI)

CIT (CIT) filed for bankruptcy this weekend in a last-ditch effort to keep operating. CIT is a lender to nearly a million small- and mid-size businesses. The lender was also a recipient of $2.3 billion in taxpayer bailout money, which will be wiped out in the bankruptcy, The Wall Street Journal notes.

Ford surprised Wall Street by announcing $1 billion in net income in the third quarter. The automaker has also forecast a “solidly profitable” 2011. Ford hasn’t posted a full-year profit since 2005, report Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin for the Associated Press.

Investors this week will be looking at various economic indicators for clues to the strength of the U.S. economy. One of the most anticipated reports is the Labor Department’s October employment report, which is due on Friday. The Federal Reserve is also going to comment on Wednesday after a two-day meeting.

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