STOCKS EXPLODE HIGHER ON AWESOME NEWS: Here's What You Need To Know

JOBS!

First, the scoreboard:

Dow: 12,862.2, +156.8, +1.2%
S&P 500: 1,344.9, +19.4, +1.5%
NASDAQ: 2,905.7, +45.4, +1.6%

And now, the top stories:

• The U.S. economy really hit a home run this morning.  According the BLS, the economy added 243k new jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent.  Economists were looking for an just 140k new jobs and for the unemployment rate to stay flat at 8.5 percent.  Here Are The Best And Worst Economists Of 2011 >
• Furthermore, previous data were revised upwards.  From the BLS report: "The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for November was revised from +100,000 to +157,000, and the change for December was revised from +200,000 to +203,000."  This makes the January 243k jobs number that much more impressive since the hurdle was much higher.
• Manufacturing jobs jumped by 50k versus an expectation of 13k.  This was the highest read on the number since 1998.  According To The BLS, These Are The 30 Fastest Growing Jobs In America >
• In the past, there have been instances where bad news has been seen as good news.  For example, bad economic data increased the chances of new economic stimulus, more quantitative easing, tax cuts, etc.  So, some have argued that today's good jobs report was actually bad news.  Some have noted that the report decreased the chances of any new Fed stimulus.  Others have also argued that the extension of payroll tax cuts just got less likely.
• The BLS report wasn't the only bullish economic data today.  The ISM services index soared to 56.8 in December, up from 53.0 in November.  Regarding jobs, the employment sub-index surged to 57.4 from 49.8.
• In sad news, Micron Technology's CEO Steve Appleton died in a plane crash earlier today.  He was 51.  The stock was halted before the announcement was made.
• The New York Giants are playing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday.  Business Insider spoke with Bob Stovall, the custodian of the Super Bowl Indicator.  He explained to us why Wall Street wants the Giants to win.  And it's not because they're New York's home team.  Read about it here.
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