US markets end higher as retail sales data reinforces economic optimism

17 Jun 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Tuesday, extending their previous session’s rally, following the release of a report from the Commerce Department showing retail sales rebounded by much more than anticipated in the month of May, as stores began to reopen following the coronavirus lockdown. The Commerce Department said retail sales skyrocketed by 17.7 percent in May after plunging by a revised 14.7 percent in April. Street had expected retail sales to spike by 8.0 percent compared to the 16.4 percent nosedive originally reported for the previous month. The record increase in retail sales was partly due to a substantial rebound in sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, which soared by 44.1 percent in May after tumbling by 12.3 percent in April. Positive sentiment was also generated with private report indicating that the Trump administration is preparing a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure proposal as part of an effort to support the economy following the coronavirus pandemic.

Traders largely shrugged off a report from the Federal Reserve showing US industrial production increased by much less than expected in the month of May. The Fed said industrial production jumped by 1.4 percent in May after plummeting by a downwardly revised 12.5 percent in April. Street had expected industrial production to surge up by 2.9 percent compared to the 11.2 percent plunge originally reported for the previous month. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell suggested more fiscal stimulus may be needed as the American economy may only make a slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 526.82 points or 2.04 percent to 26,289.98, Nasdaq gained 169.84 points or 1.75 percent 9,895.87 and S&P 500 was up by 58.15 points or 1.9 percent to 3,124.74. 

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