... Stocks closed higher on their anniversary of hitting 2009 bear-market lows, as investors continued to bet the economy is improving. Late profit taking, however, trimmed earlier gains. White House economist Christina Romer said in a speech that the gaping U.S. budget deficit is cause for concern, but clamping down on spending immediately will derail the recovery. Telecom, industrial, and financial issues outpaced utility and health care issues. NYSE breadth 17-13 positive, NASDAQ breadth 15-12 positive. The dollar index and Treasuries rose. Gold and crude oil futures fell./B.Egli

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