*
Metsera ( MTSR ) slumps as Pfizer ( PFE ) wins bidding war
*
Health insurers fall after Trump's comments on healthcare
funds
*
S&P 500 +1.41%, Nasdaq +2.17%, Dow +0.68%
(Updates to close)
By Purvi Agarwal and Noel Randewich
Nov 10 (Reuters) - Wall Street rallied on Monday, led by
big gains in Nvidia ( NVDA ), Palantir ( PLTR ) and other heavyweight AI-related
companies following progress in Washington to end a record
government shutdown.
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history could end
this week after a compromise that would restore federal
funding cleared an initial Senate hurdle late on Sunday, though
it was unclear when Congress would give final approval.
"The government shutdown was continuing a lot longer than
people had expected. There were concerns around the economy,
about flights potentially being canceled and having a wider
impact to the economy," said Chris Zaccarelli, Northlight Asset
Management's chief investment officer.
Heavyweight tech stocks rebounded from some recent losses.
Last week, the S&P 500 technology sector index tumbled
4.2%.
Nvidia ( NVDA ), the world's most valuable company, AI data
analytics firm Palantir ( PLTR ) and Tesla all surged.
"This is a rebound after being slightly oversold last week.
It's another example of the "buy the dip" mantra really acting
quickly in the tech and AI space," said Ross Mayfield,
investment strategy analyst at Baird in Louisville, Kentucky.
"There is nothing structural hitting the AI theme. In fact,
a lot of earnings reports have been really strong in that
sector."
According to preliminary data, the S&P 500
gained 103.48 points, or 1.54%, to end at 6,832.28
points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 520.29 points,
or 2.26%, to 23,524.82. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
rose 385.12 points, or 0.82%, to 47,372.22.
Airlines came under pressure as government-directed flight
cuts and air traffic staffing absences disrupted U.S. air
travel. United Airlines and American Airlines ( AAL )
both dipped.
On betting website Polymarket, the probability of an end
to the shutdown this week stood at 88%.
The longest federal shutdown in history has created a data
gap for the Federal Reserve and markets alike, leaving them
dependent on private data that has given a mixed picture of the
economy.
Some Fed officials reiterated their caution regarding the
monetary policy decision at the central bank's next meeting,
while Fed Governor Stephen Miran repeated his call for a big
rate cut.
Optimism around artificial intelligence has fueled a bull
run in U.S. stocks this year, but concerns around monetization
and circular spending within the sector drove a bout of selling
recently. The Nasdaq last week marked its worst
performance in over seven months.
Meanwhile, third-quarter earnings season is nearly complete.
Of the 446 S&P 500 companies that have reported, 83% have
delivered better-than-expected earnings, according to data
compiled by LSEG.
Shares of health insurers dropped after the U.S. Senate
struck a deal to end the 40-day federal shutdown without
extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, setting up a December
vote on the issue instead.
Centene ( CNC ), Humana and Elevance Health ( ELV )
each lost ground.
Metsera ( MTSR ) slumped after Pfizer ( PFE ) won a $10 billion
bidding war to acquire the company.
Eli Lilly ( LLY ) shares hit an intraday record high after
Leerink Partners upgraded its rating on the stock.