Stocks reach record highs after moves from China, Fed
Equities advanced on signs that China may be planning further measures to support its economy as it reels from a virus-induced slowdown and after Federal Reserve officials signaled that they aren't anxious to raise interest rates anytime soon.
Gains for chipmakers and banks led the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite to record highs after Bloomberg News reported that China's latest moves to aid growth include possible bailouts for hard-hit industries. The dollar climbed to the strongest since October after data on housing starts and building permits exceeded analysts' estimates. Treasuries held steady after minutes showed that Federal Reserve officials viewed monetary policy as appropriate "for a time."
The Stoxx Europe 600 Index reached new highs, and shares rose in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney. The yen fell to a nine-month low on concern that Japan's economy may slip into a recession. Oil gained as U.S. sanctions on Russia's largest producer and conflict in Libya put the focus on supply threats.
Investors appear relatively confident in the ability of policymakers to contain fallout from the deadly coronavirus, even after Apple spooked markets this week by warning of a slowdown in sales. Data released Wednesday showed that the housing market remains a bright spot for the U.S. economy amid sluggish business investment.
"Housing is an economic bellwether and seeing data like this gives investors a lot of reasons to be optimistic, at least for the U.S. market," said Mike Loewengart, vice president of investment strategy at ETrade Financial.
Gold traded near its highest level since 2013, while palladium extended its record-breaking rally on forecasts for a widening supply deficit.
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Here are some key events coming up:
- Earnings season rolls on, with results from Deere & Co. set for Friday.
- Indonesia is expected to cut interest rates Thursday, following emerging-market peers that have already moved.
- Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank chiefs are scheduled to meet Saturday and Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and are expected to discuss efforts to support growth amid the coronavirus threat.
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These are the main moves in markets:
Stocks
- The S&P 500 Index advanced 0.5% at the close of trading in New York.
- The Stoxx Europe 600 Index jumped 0.8%.
- The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.1%.
- The MSCI Emerging Market Index advanced 0.7%.
Currencies
- The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 0.2%.
- The euro rose 0.2%, to $1.0808.
- The British pound fell 0.6%, to $1.2924.
- The Japanese yen weakened 1.3%, to 111.28 per dollar.
Bonds
- The yield on 10-year Treasuries was little changed at 1.56%.
- Germany's 10-year yield fell one basis point, to -0.42%.
- Britain's 10-year yield fell one basis point, to 0.6%.
- Japan's 10-year yield rose one basis point, to -0.05%.
Commodities
- West Texas Intermediate crude advanced 2.4%, to $53.28 a barrel.
- Gold strengthened 0.6%, to $1,611.87 an ounce.
