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Earnings at S&P 500 members increased 9.4 percent in the January through March period, according to a Bloomberg survey of analysts released last week. That compares with forecasts of 6.2 percent a week prior and 3.1 percent two weeks ago.

Some investors predict more gains in stocks.

``If earnings remain strong and we stay without too much in the way of a jolt in inflationary pressures or unemployment, this market will be fine for a while,'' said James W. Gaul, who helps oversee $2.4 billion at Boston Advisors LLC in Boston.