US markets end choppy trading session mostly higher on Friday

24 Oct 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended choppy trading session mostly higher on Friday amid a lack of concrete news out of Washington regarding a new coronavirus stimulus bill. Traders have generally remained optimistic that a bill will eventually be passed, although they may be growing tired of waiting. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has recently suggested negotiations with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are making progress, but it seems unlikely a bill will be passed before the elections early next month. During the final presidential debate Thursday night, President Donald Trump accused Pelosi of stalling a new relief package until after the elections for political purposes. Trump also claimed that he could get reluctant Senate Republicans to support a broader stimulus bill if an agreement is finally reached.

A lack of major US economic data may also have kept traders on the sidelines following the release of upbeat jobless claims and existing home sales data on Thursday. Meanwhile, a steep drop by shares of Intel (INTC) weighed on the Dow, with the semiconductor giant plunging by 10.6 percent. Intel fell sharply after reporting third quarter earnings that beat street estimates but on weaker than expected revenues for its Data Center Group. Credit card giant American Express (AXP) also showed notable move to the downside after reporting third quarter earnings that missed expectations.

Nasdaq rose 42.28 points or 0.37 percent to 11,548.28 and S&P 500 was up by 11.90 points or 0.34 percent 3,465.39, while Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 28.09 points or 0.10 percent to 28,335.57.

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