Scientists and economists have been offered $10,000 each by a lobby group funded by one of the world's largest oil companies to undermine a major climate change report due to be published today.
Investigators have been reconstructing the episode from pilot interviews, the flight data recorder and the jet's damaged parts, but their first major report is not due for at least two weeks.
Joseph Saluzzi, co-head of equity trading at Themis Trading, said that with no major economic reports due out this week, mergers and earnings reports would continue to drive stocks higher.
With few major economic reports due out until next week, investors focused on earnings season, which unofficially began after markets closed Wednesday, when the aluminum maker Alcoa reported earnings of 8 cents a share, its first profit in a year and a surprise for investors, who had been bracing for a loss.
Without much in the way of major economic reports due Wednesday, market watchers were looking ahead to Thursday's government report on weekly jobless claims and monthly sales data from a roster of retailers.
The report says this planning would be the major focus of its final report, due in December.
Economic news also lifted investors sentiment, though major reports aren't due until later this week, including Friday's closely-watched payrolls data.
U.S. stocks sank 2% on thin trading Tuesday as investors pondered the path of the economy and looked ahead to the first major report of second-quarter earnings season, due from Alcoa Wednesday.
Besides that study, the board gives major consideration to its annual index of operating prices, a report due for release on April 25.
