News Summary: Weak manufacturing eases Fed worry

Published June 3, 2013 9:29pm ET



BAD IS GOOD: A measure of U.S. manufacturing fell in May to its lowest level since June 2009 as overseas economies slumped and business spending weakened. Wall Street decided this was good for stocks, as it would ensure the Federal Reserve would continue its stimulus program.

BLUE CHIPS: The Dow Jones industrial average, an index composed of 30 blue-chip stocks, led the gains, rising 0.9 percent. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index also climbed, gaining 0.6 percent.

CANCER CURE: Drug company Merck rose $1.75, or 3.75 percent, to $48.45 after it announced encouraging clinical results for a medicine to treat skin cancer.