The Dow notches a record, closing in on 10,000

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 4.6% between Mar 1, 1999 and Mar 5, 1999, spurred on by lower interest rates and a rise in unemployment to 4.4% from 4.3%. The Dow has risen 6% in 1999 to Mar 5, and the Standard and Poor's 500 Index has risen 3.8% in 1999 to Mar 5. Tom Galvin of Donaldson Lufkin and Jenrette sees corporate earnings boosting the S and P 500 Index to a 20% gain for 1999. However, First Call reports that Wall Street estimates for 1st quarter 1999 corporate profits have been declining. Consumer stocks' price gains, Atlantic Richfield's dividend, and Walt Disney Co's difficulties are also discussed.