The nation’s institutional investors are happy to see the latest wave of good economic news.  The United States Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reports that for the 4th quarter of 2010, the real gross domestic product (GDP), the value of all goods and services, increased 3.1 percent over the 3rd quarter.  Positive increases from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, residential fixed investments, non-residential fixed investments, and the dramatic downturn in imports, all fueled the rise.  Based on seasonally adjusted rates, exports of goods and services increased 8.6 percent in the 4th quarter, compared to 6.8 percent in the third, and imports decreased 12.6 percent as compared to an increase in the third of 16.8 percent.  Real residential investment increased 3.3 percent as opposed to a decrease in the third quarter of 27.3 percent.