Afternoon Markets: Dow gains as retail sales rise

The Dow Jones rocketed on opening today, following news retail sales rose in May for the first time ...

The Dow Jones rocketed on opening today, following news retail sales rose in May for the first time in three months on the back of growing consumer confidence. The blue chip index was up 63.34 points (0.72%) to 8802.36 as retail sales rose 0.5% as forecast after a 0.2% drop in April, according to the Commerce Department. Bank of America Corp is the biggest winner so far, jumping 2.5% to $12.28. The bank had its 2009/10 profit estimates raised at Morgan Stanley, which cited higher expected income. Morgan Stanley estimates Bank of America Corp will earn 52 cents a share in 2009 and $2.6...