Why The Dow Jumped Today

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEX: ^DJI  ) jumped today as manufacturing data from around the world showed growth and ADP released data showing private-sector jobs growing by 170,000 in January.

Index	Change	Ending Value
Dow Jones Industrial Average	+83.55 [0.66%]	12716.46
S&P 500 (INDEX: ^GSPC  )	+11.68 [0.89%]	1324.09

Manufacturing data in Europe and China was better than expected and the Institute for Supply Managements U.S. manufacturing index rose to an eight-month high. On the jobs front, ADP reported that nonfarm private employment rose 170,000 in January. Dropping unemployment is a good sign for the economy.

Top stock
Bank of America  (NYSE: BAC  ) was today's top stock, up 3.23% to $7.36. Two weeks ago, Bank of America reported better-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter, ending the year with positive earnings. While the stock has been moving up and down with the status of the Greek debt talks, investors should be most interested in the $25 billion settlement that Bank of America and other lenders are trying to enter into with states over their mortgage-servicing practices.

The biggest loser
One of just three down Dow components today, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD  ) was today's worst stock, down $0.66% to $98.40. After a banner year in 2011 some investors may be taking profits on the stock, Fool analyst Jim Royal believes McDonald's is still a must-own stock.

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