Economic Signals Fuel Stock Rally

Spurred by signs of continued economic growth and low inflation, financial markets galloped ahead this week.

The Dow Jones industrial average resumed climbing Friday after a two-day pause. The Dow rose more than 72 points, boosting the total gain for the week to 282.99 points.

In economic reports this week:

The Commerce Department said a 63 percent plunge in aircraft orders in December helped produce an overall 2.5 percent dip in factory orders, the steepest drop in five years.

The Index of Leading Indicators for December stood at 104.5, unchanged from its revised November figure, the Conference Board reported.

The Commerce Department reported sales of new single-family homes tumbled 9.7 percent in December, the sharpest monthly drop in more than two years.