SUMMARY BOX

Stocks closing out a strong October

[October 30, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP)

STRONG OCTOBER: Every major stock index rose in October. The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 both rose more than 3 percent, while the Nasdaq composite gained 5.9 percent. Each index changed less than 0.1 percent in Friday's trading.

SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH: The economy grew at a 2 percent annual rate in the third quarter. Concerns about slow growth were balances by expectations that the Federal Reserve will take steps to stimulate the economy.

WAITING FOR TUESDAY: Traders appeared to be waiting for the results of next Tuesday's election, and the next Fed meting on Wednesday, to make any significant moves.

[Associated Press]

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