Business Highlights

Glimmer of hope in March's steep auto sales drop

DETROIT (AP) — March proved to be another dismal month of steep declines for U.S. auto sales as low consumer confidence and job uncertainty continued to keep buyers away from showrooms, but the improvement from February signaled that bargain-hunting buyers may be providing the momentum for a turnaround.

General Motors Corp.'s sales fell 45 percent, while Ford Motor Co. reported a 41 percent drop. Sales at Chrysler, Toyota, Honda and Nissan were just a few points better.

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Wall Street begins 2nd quarter slightly higher

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street began the second quarter on solid footing Wednesday as better-than-expected economic reports helped extend a four-week rally.

After falling in the early going on disappointing jobs data, the Dow Jones industrials ended with a gain of 153 points to 7,761.60 following reports showing a rebound in pending home sales and improving manufacturing activity. Other major indexes rose about 1.5 percent.