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U.S. financial markets closed in observance of Good Friday

U.S. stock and bond markets are closed Friday in observance of Good Friday and will reopen Monday morning.
/ Source: msnbc.com news services

U.S. stock and bond markets are closed Friday in observance of Good Friday and will reopen Monday morning.

Wall Street finished Thursday with solid gains, as strong earnings reports from blue chip companies lifted stock prices across the market.

Upbeat U.S. earnings supported stock markets around the world this week. Following a long period when investors have been focusing on other issues, such as Japan's earthquake and tsunami, Europe's debt crisis and the unrest in the Arab world, earnings have returned to prominence.

So far, the latest corporate results have been generally positive, with a number of companies announcing forecast-busting earnings in another sign that the U.S. economy, the world's largest, is performing strongly.

Particularly encouraging was Wednesday's after-hours statement from Apple Inc. that its hit iPhone helped earnings nearly double. Apple's technology peer Intel Corp. also beat expectations, helping to buoy sentiment toward the technology sector.

General Electric Co., McDonald's Corp. and Morgan Stanley & Co. also beat expectations Thursday.