US markets end higher during abbreviated session

28 Nov 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher with modest gains during an abbreviated session on Friday, as trading activity was somewhat subdued following the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Friday’s session wraps three hours earlier than normal. The major averages all closed in positive territory, although the tech-heavy Nasdaq outperformed its counterparts. Optimism about a potential coronavirus vaccine has contributed to recent strength on Wall Street, although some questions have been raised about the efficacy of the vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot told the British pharmaceutical giant is likely to run a new global trial of the vaccine candidate. Nonetheless, overall trading activity was subdued in the shortened trading session, as many traders remained away from their desks following the holiday.

A lack of major economic data also kept traders on the sidelines ahead of the monthly jobs report due next week along with reports on manufacturing and service sector activity. Biotechnology stocks showed a strong move to the upside on the day. Considerable strength was also visible among semiconductor stocks. Healthcare and software stocks also saw notable strength, while energy stocks came under pressure over the course of the session. Energy stocks moved lower along with the price of crude oil.

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 37.90 points or 0.13 percent to 29,910.37, Nasdaq gained 111.44 points or 0.92 percent to 12,205.85 and S&P 500 was up by 8.70 points or 0.24 percent 3,638.35.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×