US markets end higher on Wednesday

05 Sep 2019 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Wednesday as a survey on business conditions in the Federal Reserve’s key districts showed that economic activity in nonfinancial service sectors was steady or improving even while manufacturing and agriculture were unsurprising weak spots. The strength on markets also came in amid easing tensions in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's chief executive withdrew a controversial extradition bill that sparked months of protests and as fears that the United Kingdom would leave the European Union without an exit agreement faded, after Parliament voted to require Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask the European Union to extend the deadline for leaving beyond October 31 if a deal is not reached by then.

On the economic data front, reflecting an increase in exports and a modest decrease in imports, the Commerce Department released a report showing the US trade deficit narrowed in the month of July. The Commerce Department said the trade deficit narrowed to $54.0 billion in July from a revised $55.5 billion in June. Street had expected the deficit to narrow to $53.5 billion from the $55.2 billion originally reported for the previous month. The narrower trade deficit came as the value of exports climbed by 0.6 percent to $207.4 billion in July after plunging by 1.9 percent to $206.2 billion in June. A jump in drug exports contributed to the rebound along with increases in exports of capital goods and automotive vehicles, parts, and engines. On the other hand, the report said the value of imports edged down by 0.1 percent to $261.4 billion in July after tumbling by 1.7 percent to $261.8 billion in the previous month.

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 237.45 points or 0.91 percent to 26355.47, Nasdaq gained 102.72 points or 1.30 percent to 7976.88 and S&P 500 was up by 31.51 points or 1.08 percent to 2937.78.

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