US markets end higher on Wednesday

23 Apr 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Wednesday as investors gained confidence from stabilizing crude oil markets, some better-than-expected corporate earnings reports. The jump in oil prices contributed to considerable strength among energy stocks, with the NYSE Arca Oil Index and the Philadelphia Oil Service Index surging up by 4.8 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively. Buying interest was also generated in reaction to report that the Senate has passed a new bill to provide funding for hospitals and small businesses and expand coronavirus testing. The $484 billion aid package was approved unanimously by the Senate and now heads to the House, which could approve the bill as soon as Thursday.

President Donald Trump has said he will sign the bill and then plans to begin discussions on additional legislation to provide fiscal relief for states and local governments, increase infrastructure spending, provide tax incentives for restaurants and entertainment businesses and cut payroll taxes. Gold stocks turned in some of the market's best performances on the day, driving the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index up by 6.9 percent to its best closing level in well over three years. Significant strength was also visible among semiconductor stocks, as reflected by the 5.9 percent spike by the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index.

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 456.94 points or 1.99 percent to 23,475.82, Nasdaq gained 232.15 points 2.81 percent to 8,495.38 and S&P 500 was up by 62.75 points or 2.29 percent to 2,799.31.

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