Walgreens Numbers Boost Dow

Stocks were off to a slow start this morning when the consurmer confidence reading came in at 48.5 below the 53.0 expected on the street.  A mild improvement in home prices reported by Case Shiller kept stocks out of the doldrums.  Walgreens reported earnings ahead of expectations causing a rally in the consumer goods and health industries late in the session.  Despite low consumer confidence, the Dow managed a 46 point advance for the day.