U.S. stocks climbed to a five-year high this week, following reports indicating that the economy is growing stronger without triggering inflation.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Standard and Poor's 500 Index both closed at their highest points since May 2001 this week. Analysts say they were driven by a report on consumer prices showing that spending is healthy but not out of control.
However, traders are still wary of an expected rise in federal interest rates this month. Such an increase would decrease some bond values and dampen the demand for new loans.