Sector Investing

[ReturntoSender]

Stocks bounce back to begin the week
19-Jan-21 16:15 ET
Dow +116.26 at 30930.52, Nasdaq +198.68 at 13197.18, S&P +30.66 at 3798.91

https://www.briefing.com/stock-market-update

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 gained 0.8% on Tuesday, reclaiming its decline from last Friday, in an advance led by shares of mega-cap, semiconductor, and energy companies. The Nasdaq Composite (+1.5%) and Russell 2000 (+1.3%) outperformed the benchmark index, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (+0.4%) posted a smaller gain.

The market was pleased to hear Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen asserting that it's time to "act big" on fiscal stimulus, which outweighed reports suggesting that President-elect Biden's $1.9 trillion package could run into some objections in Congress. She also said during her confirmation hearing that President-elect Biden will not repeal the 2017 tax law while the economy battles the coronavirus.

The S&P 500 energy sector (+2.1%) and Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (+3.4%), which contain economically-sensitive businesses, were among the biggest gainers today. The influential information technology sector advanced 1.3%.

In addition, positive-minded analyst recommendations in stocks like Alphabet (GOOG 1790.86, +54.67, +3.2%), Facebook (FB 261.10, +9.74, +3.9%), and American Express (AXP 126.75, +4.61, +3.8%) supported the cause. The communication services sector, which is home to GOOG and FB, increased 1.9%.

While the AXP boost was nice, the financials sector (+0.4%) was restrained by negative reactions to earnings reports from Bank of America (BAC 32.77, -0.24, -0.7%) and Goldman Sachs (GS 294.20, -6.81, -2.3%). The real estate (-0.5%), consumer staples (-0.4%), and utilities (-0.4%) sectors were the only sectors that closed lower.

U.S. Treasuries recouped overnight losses and finished little changed in front of President-elect Biden's inauguration tomorrow. The 2-yr yield was flat at 0.13%, and the 10-yr yield was flat at 1.09%. The U.S. Dollar Index decreased 0.3% to 90.50. WTI crude futures settled higher by 1.3%, or $0.66, to $52.96/bbl.

Investors did not receive any economic data during Tuesday's session. Looking ahead, investors will receive the MBA Mortgage Applications Index and the NAHB Housing Market Index for January on Wednesday.

Russell 2000 +8.9% YTD
Nasdaq Composite +2.4% YTD
S&P 500 +1.1% YTD
Dow Jones Industrial Average +1.1% YTD

Market Snapshot
Dow 30930.52 +116.26 (0.38%)
Nasdaq 13197.18 +198.68 (1.53%)
SP 500 3798.91 +30.66 (0.81%)
10-yr Note -22/32 1.094
NYSE Adv 1975 Dec 1179 Vol 1.1 bln
Nasdaq Adv 2547 Dec 1241 Vol 6.1 bln

Industry Watch
Strong: Energy, Communication Services, Information Technology
Weak: Consumer Staples, Utilities, Real Estate

Moving the Market

-- S&P 500 recoups decline from last Friday in a relatively broad-based advance

-- Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen said it's time to "act big" on fiscal stimulus

-- Mixed reactions to bank earnings

-- Defensive-oriented sectors underperformed

WTI crude futures settle in positive territory
19-Jan-21 15:30 ET
Dow +132.00 at 30946.26, Nasdaq +204.02 at 13202.52, S&P +32.66 at 3800.91

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 continues to trade higher by 0.9% amid gains in eight of its 11 sectors.

Specifically, the energy (+2.4%), communication services (+2.0%), and information technology (+1.3%) sectors are in top spots today, while the real estate (-0.6%), consumer staples (-0.4%), and utilities (-0.2%) sectors are the lone holdouts.

WTI crude futures settled higher by $0.66 (+1.3%) to $52.96 per barrel.