Natchez &8212; The Dow&8217;s hitting 11,000 for the first time since before Sept. 11, 2001, gives investors a psychological boost &8212; one that&8217;s rooted in very real economic principles, said local investment adviser Mike Henry.

&8220;Everything is set up to have a good &8217;06,&8221; said Henry, who wasn&8217;t surprised the Dow &8212; an index of 30 blue-chip stocks &8212; surpassed 11,000 Monday.

&8220;Interest rates are rising, but they remain low; inflation is low; and the economy is growing at a good, measured pace,&8221; he said.

Being below 11,000 was a &8220;psychological barrier,&8221; Henry said. Although the nation saw good economic news in 2005, the stock market still couldn&8217;t reach that milestone.

But Henry said the Dow&8217;s Monday achievement has more than a psychological effect.

&8220;People who analyze the market, technicians, say it is an important milestone for the market to overcome,&8221; he said. &8220;Two-thousand-five was a very below average year.&8221;

Henry said he had actually expected the milestone in December.

&8220;It was a good month,&8221; he said. &8220;But the Santa Claus effect didn&8217;t hold out.&8221;