US markets end mostly higher on Thursday

24 Jan 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended mostly higher on Thursday after the World Health Organization (WHO) said it is still too early to declare the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that make no mistake, this is an emergency in China. But it has not yet become a global health emergency. The WHO noted an emergency committee stands ready to be reconvened to reconsider formally declaring the situation a PHEIC. Tedros said at this time, there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission outside China, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.  However, lingering concerns about the impact of the Chinese coronavirus generated early selling pressure on markets after contributing to a sell-off in the Asia-Pacific markets. Despite efforts to contain the outbreak, deaths from the new coronavirus have risen to 17, with nearly 600 cases confirmed worldwide. A steep drop by shares of Travelers (TRV) helped keep the Dow in the red after the insurance giant reported fourth quarter earnings and revenues that beat estimates but slightly weaker than expected net premiums written.

On the economic data front, first-time claims for US unemployment benefits showed a modest increase in the week ended January 18, according to a report released by the Labor Department. The report said initial jobless claims rose to 211,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level of 205,000. Street had expected jobless claims to climb to 215,000 from the 204,000 originally reported for the previous week. Meanwhile, the Labor Department said the less volatile four-week moving average fell to 213,250, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average of 216,500. Continuing claims, a reading on the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment assistance, also slid by 37,000 to 1.731 million in the week ended January 11.

Nasdaq gained 18.71 points or 0.2 percent to 9402.48 and S&P 500 was up by 3.79 points or 0.11 percent to 3325.54, while Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 26.18 points or 0.09 percent to 29160.09.

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