Leaders Index 3-7

The market traded in a pretty narrow range today and finished with small gains and near the highs of the session. Volume was down slightly across the board as market participants waited for tomorrow’s employment report. Leading stocks performed in a similar fashion with the leaders index up .49%, slightly more than the overall market. Volume on the leaders index was higher and well above average. This continues the recent pattern up higher closes on increasing volume. Both the major averages and the leaders index are consolidating recent gains in a pretty positive fashion. Some quality stocks like FLT and NSM had pretty bad days but overall they are holding up. The employment report will set the tone for trading tomorrow, but both the major averages and the leaders index are acting well. Jerry