goldman is benefiting from strong trading revenue. also helped out and also saying that this recovering economy is playing its part as well. no doubt about that. tough comparisons from last year. that makes it easier for the numbers to look better. that pushed the company sales up and allowed them to set aside $5 billion for salaries and bonuses. as far as percentage basis is concerned, goldman actually set aside less money for compensation this time around than it did in the first quarter of 2009. besides goldman, earnings from ibm are helping stocks this morning. ibm profit up 13% and the company boosted its outlook for the rest of the year. it's improved revenue, a good sign that companies are spending more on technology. that will ultimately help the overall recovery. there is one big roadblock. that's unemployment. now, novartis is planning to cut nearly 40% of their jobs. this comes as the drug company says it made nearly $3 billion last quarter.