both verizon and a.t.&t. were up more than 2%. they are up after experiencing some pressure thanks to smart- phone subsidies cutting into their fourth quarter profit margins. bank of america led the financial sector and was the best dow industrial stock with its 3.4% increase. the bank's mobile and online platforms suffered outages today, blamed on an internal technical issue according to dow jones. the drag on the dow was pharmaceutical company merck. earnings fell from a year ago, but were two cents better than expected. however, the company warned of a possible delay for a new osteoporosis medicine. that comes as shareholders have been waiting for new drugs to help improve profit growth. shares fell 3.3% on heavy volume. the delay could be as much as a year. auto stocks were in focus as january auto sales were strong, especially for the more profitable pick-up truck segment. ford's 22% increase in january sales compared to a year ago led the u.s. based manufacturers. g.m. and chrysler sales were up 16% each. it was the strongest

both verizon and a.t.&t. were up more than 2%. they are up after experiencing some pressure thanks to smart- phone subsidies cutting into their fourth quarter profit margins. bank of america led the financial sector and was the best dow industrial stock with its 3.4% increase. the bank's mobile and online platforms suffered outages today, blamed on an internal technical issue according to dow jones. the drag on the dow was pharmaceutical company merck. earnings fell from a year ago, but were two cents better than expected. however, the company warned of a possible delay for a new osteoporosis medicine. that comes as shareholders have been waiting for new drugs to help improve profit growth. shares fell 3.3% on heavy volume. the delay could be as much as a year. auto stocks were in focus as january auto sales were strong, especially for the more profitable pick-up truck segment. ford's 22% increase in january sales compared to a year ago led the u.s. based manufacturers. g.m. and chrysler sales were up 16% each. it was the strongest