|

S&P 500 notches new record high boosted by rising tech and energy shares

  • Wall Street's main indexes opened in the positive territory on Wednesday.
  • Soft inflation data seems to be allowing stock markets to remain bullish.
  • S&P 500 Communication Services Index is up 1% after the opening bell.

Major equity indexes opened decisively higher and touched new record highs on Wednesday as the soft inflation data from the US confirms the view that the Fed will continue to stimulate the economy. As of writing, the S&P 500 was up 0.4% on the day at 3,927, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was rising 0.32% at 31,478 and the Nasdaq Composite was gaining 0.35% at 13,735.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Wednesday the Core Consumer Price Index (CPI), which excludes volatile energy and food prices, declined to 1.4% on a yearly basis from 1.6% in December.

Among the 11 major S&P 500 sectors, the Communication Services Index is up nearly 1% on the day. Moreover, the Energy Index is rising 1.05% as crude oil prices push higher for the eighth straight day.

S&P 500 chart (daily)

Author

Eren Sengezer

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

More from Eren Sengezer
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD climbs toward 0.7000 after strong China data dump

AUD/USD attracts follow-through buyers for the second straight day on Monday, extending last week's recovery toward 0.7000 in Monday's Asian trading. Strong Chniese Q3 GDP and activity data for September strengthen the pair's advance, following RBA Assistant Governor Chris Kent's hawkish remarks.

USD/JPY struggles near 158.00 amid hawkish BoJ, subdued USD

USD/JPY remains defensive near 158.00 in the Asian session on Monday, as the US Dollar remains depressed near a two-week low amid the recent decline in US bond yields. Furthermore, looming intervention risks underpin the Japanese Yen and weigh on the pair amid BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda's hawkish remarks. However, Fed rate-hike bets and geopolitical uncertainties could limit USD losses and the major.

Gold drops to daily lows below $4,150

Gold builds on Friday’s retracement and slips back below the $4,150 mark per troy ounce on Monday. The better tone in the US Dollar and a decent bounce in US Treasury yields across the curve keep the yellow metal under pressure for now.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP extend recovery despite ETFs outflows

Bitcoin edges higher above $82,000, building strong structural support despite roughly $229 million in ETF outflows last week. Ethereum recovers above $2,400 as bulls strive to regain trend control, backed by a subtle recovery in momentum indicators.

Higher than expected inflation shakes markets: What to prepare for?

US CPI report came in stronger than expected, lifting the probability of a December rate hike higher once again. Even though Fed Chair Warsh reinforced expectations of a hold for the October’s meeting, markets now face a two-step event: a likely pause on October 28, followed by an interest rate hike on December 9.

The US Dollar fell. Gold didn't rally. That tells you everything
Gold (XAU/USD) is struggling to capitalize on a weaker US Dollar (USD), after repeatedly failing to establish itself above the $4,200 level. The precious metal remains confined to a relatively narrow trading range despite a combination of developments that would normally support higher prices.