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The stock market
The S&P 500 was up 9.4% in April, its biggest monthly rally since March 2000. The Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index ended the month at 8,962.96, up 849.85, or 10.48%. This is the best monthly return since December 1991, when the index was up 10.72%.

"The initiatives of the federal government and some of the improvements in the credit markets are making investors more confident," said Thomas Cowhey, chief investment strategist at Hirtle Callaghan.

NEXT: Consumer confidence

Last updated May 05 2009: 12:04 PM ET
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