A resurgent tech sector powered today's rally
The Dow rebounded from a three-year low today, spearheaded by big gains in the tech sector. Although the triple-digit win was modest in comparison to the roller-coaster volatility seen in recent weeks, the blue-chip index did pare a 700 point deficit at its session lows, and hold on to the psychologically significant 20,000 level. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq tacked on solid wins as well, as investors await the next move from policy-makers to help invigorate the global markets.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 20,087.19) finished 188.3 points, or 0.9% higher for the day. Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) paced the six winners with a 6.5% gain, while Chevron (CVX) led the remaining laggards with a 22% drop.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,409.39) added 11.3 points, or 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,150.58) gained 160.7 points, or 2.3%.
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 72) gained 4.5 point, or 5.8%.


5 Items on Our Radar Today
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The leading economic index in the U.S. rose a slight 0.1% in February, but the figures count for before the coronavirus brought U.S. growth to a standstill. (MarketWatch)
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President Donald Trump announced an interest waiver on student loans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was met with mixed reviews among analysts and politicians, with many criticizing the President for not doing enough. (Yahoo Finance)
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Cars.com stock was stuck in the NYSE basement today.
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Hertz stock rose despite the struggling sector.
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This discount retailer surged after an impressive Q4 report.


Oil Rebounds, Logs Best Day Ever
Oil futures rose in spectacular fashion after Wednesday’s losses. April-dated crude gained $4.85, or 23.8%, to $25.22 per barrel, a magnificent feat after dropping nearly 25% in the previous session. It's black gold's largest one-day increase since 1983.
Gold futures bounced back as well, reacting favorably to the continued efforts from governments to support the global economy. Gold for April delivery settled up $1.40, or 0.1%, at $1,479.30 an ounce.