Business and Finance
GREENSPAN GAVE NO HINT that an increase in interest rates is imminent, buoying the financial markets. In congressional testimony, the Federal Reserve chairman hailed the current state of the economy as "exceptional" and welcomed the recent slowing of economic growth.</br></br>Stocks soared in reaction to the remarks, with the Dow Jones industrials climbing 154.93 points to 8061.65. Bond prices took off as well, with the yield on the Treasury's bellwether bond falling to its lowest point since early December. The dollar finished mixed.</br></br>---</br></br>Boeing is close to winning European approval for its $14 billion acquisition of McDonnell Douglas after offering four key concessions. An agreement is viewed as likely to be announced today, averting a major trans-Atlantic trade conflict.</br></br>---