As we celebrate 5-years of a bull market many are speculating when its death will come.  While markets are at record highs there is another record to keep your eye on.  Aggregate profits for the S&P 500 in Q4 will total about $28.78 per share, an all-time record. Profit growth in 2014 is expected to be 8.8%.  Profits are the true mother’s milk of stock prices.  (CNBC)

Dicks Sporting Goods reported profits 8% higher than a year earlier last quarter on sales that were 7.3% higher.  The company is projecting double digit earnings growth in 2014.  Dick’s operates 588 stores in 46 states.  (PR News Wire)

Over 86% of manufacturers have a positive outlook for 2013, the most optimistic in two years. Still a concern for manufactures is excessive government regulation and a burdensome tax code. (National Association of Manufactures)

The Golden Arches saw their fourth straight month of declining same store sales in February. Global sales fell 0.3% for the month and sales at their 14,200 US locations declined 1.4%.  Increasing competition in the breakfast space and weather were noted as sales drags. (Bloomberg)

Salem’s Kettle Chips could be on the sales block again.  Owner Diamond Foods is rumored to be shopping the chip maker it bought in 2010.  Kellogg’s, owner of Pringles, is a possible buyer. (Oregon Live)