Business and Finance
STOCKS ROARED BACK as the Dow Jones industrials posted a record gain of 51.60 points and closed at a high of 2145.67. Many broader market averages also hit records. Prices soared in reaction to the weak dollar and speculation about a drop in interest rates. But concern about the dollar pushed bond prices lower.</br></br>The dollar's slide continued as government efforts to stabilize the currency failed to calm the markets. A cut in West German interest rates and Baker's prediction of a smaller U.S. trade deficit had little impact.</br></br>Japanese investors may shift more new investment to other currencies. Also, the dollar's drop makes it hard for the Fed to cut interest rates.</br></br>---</br></br>Economic growth slowed to a lackluster 1.7% annual rate in the fourth quarter as consumer spending slowed. GNP growth for all of last year was only 2.5%, the weakest since the recession year of 1982.