Air Canada doubles California capacity; Copa Holdings reports improved load factor, GOL up

North and South American stocks climbed on Thursday (08-Apr-2010), boosted by reports of the potential merger between US Airways and United Airlines, with the AMEX Airline Index closing 3.4% higher as a result. The Dow (+0.3%) also moved slightly higher on the news, in addition to data showing a rise in retail sales. The rise was despite losses early in trading, following disappointing US jobless claims for Mar-2010.