CLOSING BELL

Dow 11123.11  +103.69, Nasdaq 2504.86  +38.87, S&P 1210.65  +13.35 

Stock hit a new 18 month high today on a good economic reports and strong earnings.

The advance retail sales number for March increased +1.6%, which exceeded the +1.2% increase that economist had expected.  Excluding autos, retail sales for March increased +0.6%.

The CPI numbers also came in-line with expectations giving traders relief about possible inflation.  The CPI came in at +0.1% and the Core rate which excludes food and energy came in flat.

Additionally, February business inventories increased a slightly stronger-than-expected +0.5%.

Intel (INTC) 23.52 +0.75, +3.29% reported earnings after the close yesterday.  Q1 earnings and revenue beat street estimates coming in at +$0.43 on revenue of $10.3 billion.  Intel also issued a strong forecast for its second fiscal quarter.  This led the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index up +4.3%, to its best gain in almost nine months, to a new 52-week high.

JPM Chase (JPM) 47.73 +1.86, +4.05% after it reported Q1 earnings of +$0.74 on revenue of $28.2 billion beating street estimates.

Advancing Sectors: Financials +2.6%, Tech +1.7%, Consumer Discretionary +1.5%, Industrials +1.3%, Energy +0.9%, Materials +0.9%

Declining Sectors: Health Care -0.4%, Telecom -0.1%

Unchanged: Utilities, Consumer Staples