financetom
World
financetom
/
World
/
Dow, S&P 500 Close at Record Highs as Traders Parse Macro Data
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Dow, S&P 500 Close at Record Highs as Traders Parse Macro Data
Mar 28, 2024 5:23 PM

04:46 PM EDT, 03/28/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 closed at all-time high levels Thursday, as investors assessed a surprise upward revision to fourth-quarter economic growth, along with other macro data.

The Dow and the S&P 500 rose 0.1% each to 39,807.4 and 5,254.4, respectively. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.1% to 16,379.5. Energy led sector gainers. Communication services, consumer discretionary, and technology closed lower.

Stock markets will be closed Friday in observance of the Good Friday holiday.

For the week through Thursday, the Dow and the S&P 500 gained 0.8% and 0.4%, respectively. The Nasdaq lost 0.3%.

In economic news, US real gross domestic product in the December quarter increased at a 3.4% annualized rate, up from a 3.2% gain projected previously, according to a third and final estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Activity was expected to be unrevised, according to the consensus compiled by Bloomberg. In the third quarter, real GDP rose 4.9%.

"There is plenty to like in the upward revision to (fourth-quarter) US real GDP growth as stronger consumer spending and slower inventory build pave the way more favorably for growth early this year," Oxford Economics said in a note.

The US two-year yield rose 5.8 basis points to 4.63% Thursday, while the 10-year rate added one basis point to 4.21%.

US consumer sentiment increased in March, while inflation expectations edged lower, according to the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers. Sentiment was essentially unchanged throughout the first quarter, reflecting consumers' perception that the economy has been "holding steady in its current state," Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said.

Pending home sales in the US rose more than projected in February, aided by a sharp gain in the Midwest, the National Association of Realtors said.

"While modest sales growth might not stir excitement, it shows slow and steady progress from the lows of late last year," NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said. "Ongoing job gains are clearly increasing demand, along with more inventory."

Manufacturing activity in the US Midwest region slumped further into contraction territory in March amid steep declines in new orders and production, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil increased 2% to $83.01 per barrel Thursday.

In company news, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) posted stronger-than-expected fiscal second-quarter revenue but lowered the high end of its full-year earnings outlook. The drug-store operator's shares rose 3.2%, the top performer on the Nasdaq and among the best on the S&P 500.

Tesla (TSLA) shares fell 2.3%, among the steepest decliners on the Nasdaq. Deutsche Bank lowered its Tesla delivery estimates for the second time in less than three weeks, citing weaker-than-expected sales in China and the electric vehicle maker's plan to cut production in the region.

Gold advanced 1.4% to $2,242.60 per troy ounce, while silver rose 1% to $25.01 per ounce.

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
European stocks rise ahead of inflation data; Basilea shines
European stocks rise ahead of inflation data; Basilea shines
Apr 4, 2024
(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click or type LIVE/ in a news window) April 4 (Reuters) - European stocks edged higher on Thursday with investors awaiting an inflation print and minutes from the European Central Bank's latest meeting, while shares of Basilea jumped following the U.S. regulatory approval for the drugmaker's bacterial therapy....
Euro zone yields head lower after Powell calms the mood
Euro zone yields head lower after Powell calms the mood
Apr 4, 2024
LONDON, April 4 (Reuters) - Euro zone bond yields moved lower on Thursday, helped by cooler than expected inflation data in the currency bloc the day before as well as remarks by the U.S. central bank chief which helped bring a bit of calm to global government bond markets. ** The yield on Germany's 10-year Bund dropped 2 basis points...
Japanese stocks see biggest weekly foreign outflow in six months
Japanese stocks see biggest weekly foreign outflow in six months
Apr 4, 2024
(Reuters) - Foreign investors pulled more than a trillion yen out of Japanese stocks last week, as some stocks went ex-dividend and expectations of currency market intervention by the Bank of Japan led to profit booking after a recent rally. They offloaded a net 1.18 trillion yen worth of stocks during the week to March 29 - their largest weekly...
GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks and bonds take heart from Powell; commodities on a roll
GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks and bonds take heart from Powell; commodities on a roll
Apr 4, 2024
* Stocks gain, bonds stabilise * Powell still sees rate cuts, but mum on timing * Oil, gold and copper all on the rise (Updates throughout; refreshes prices at 0815 GMT) By Amanda Cooper LONDON, April 4 (Reuters) - Global shares rallied on Thursday as U.S. rate cuts remained on the table even if their timing was unclear, while the...
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved