US markets end higher as coronavirus lockdowns begin to ease

28 Apr 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Monday, extending the upward move seen in the previous session, after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans for a phased reopening of his state's economy. Cuomo suggested the first phase, which involves low risk businesses in the manufacturing and construction sectors, could begin shortly after New York's stay-at-home order expires on May 15. The decision to announce the reopening plans comes as New York has seen as steady decline in coronavirus hospitalization rates, with Cuomo expressing optimism the worst is over.

The announcement by Cuomo comes as other states, including several led by Republican governors, have already started reopening their economies. Buying interest was also generated amid optimism about additional stimulus ahead of Federal Reserve and European Central Bank meetings later this week. Financial stocks turned in some of the market's best performances on the day, with the KBW Bank Index and the NYSE Arca Broker/Dealer Index spiking by 5.6 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively. Significant strength was also visible among housing stocks, as reflected by the 4.7 percent jump by the Philadelphia Housing Sector Index.

Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 358.51 points or 1.51 percent to 24,133.78, Nasdaq rose 95.64 points 1.11 percent to 8,730.16 and S&P 500 was up by 41.74 points or 1.47 percent to 2,878.48.

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