The Dow erased earlier losses to add 97 points
After a brief dip into the red this afternoon, the Dow came back strong, ending the session up over 97 points, and notching a brand new record high. Boosting investor sentiment were the rebounding semiconductor and commodity sectors, as well as stellar corporate reports from both General Motors (GM) and Activision Blizzard (ATVI). The S&P 500 also logged a solid win, though the Nasdaq gave up earlier gains to register a modest loss.
In terms of economic data, private payrolls and the ISM non-manufacturing index came in below analysts' expectations, while the IHS Markit U.S. services purchasing managers index (PMI) topped estimates. In other news, the Biden administration said it supports waving patent protections for Covid-19 vaccines, which could expand global access to the shot.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- NuSkin stock was glowing ahead of this evening's earnings report.
- This real estate name could bounce off a historically bullish trendline.
- Plus, buy the dip on this grocery giant; unpacking Hilton Hotels' revenue miss; and UAA attracts slew of bull notes.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 34,230.34) rose 97.3 points, or 0.3% for the day. Dow Inc (DOW) led the Dow components with a 2.8% rise, while Boeing (BA) paced the laggards, falling 2.3%.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index (SPX - 4,167.59) added 2.9 points, or 0.07% for the day. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 13,582.42) fell 51.1 points, or 0.4% for the day.
Lastly, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 19.15) fell 0.3 point, or 1.7% for the day.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projected a surge in U.S. Covid-19 infections as the B.1.1.7 variant spreads, though hospitalizations and deaths will likely remain low. (CNBC)
- At-home workout staple Peloton (PTON) dropped to an eight-month low after it recalled 125,000 treadmills due to "risk of injury or death." (MarketWatch)
- Why options bulls should buy this grocery powerhouse on the dip.
- Hilton Hotels stock tumbled after reporting an earnings and revenue miss.
- Analysts showered Under Armour stock with bull notes after its quarterly win.
Gold Moves Higher After Yellen Eases Inflation Fears
Oil prices snapped a two-day win streak on Wednesday, despite earlier shooting for its highest close in over two years. Much of the optimism surrounding the reopening of the U.S. and European economies, as well as U.S. crude inventories' biggest weekly dip since January, ultimately faded. As a result, June-dated crude fell 6 cents, or 0.1%, to settle $65.63 per barrel.
Gold prices also finished higher, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen clarified she was not recommending or predicting an interest rate hike, noting inflation isn't likely to be a problem as the economy recovers from the impacts of the pandemic. As a result, June-dated gold added $8.30, or 0.5%, to settle at $1,784.30 an ounce.