US markets end mostly higher on Wednesday

03 Dec 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday as traders remain optimistic about potential coronavirus vaccines. The UK has approved the vaccine candidate developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, with the vaccine expected to be rolled out next week. Meanwhile, traders also seemed optimism lawmakers in Washington will reach an agreement on a new fiscal stimulus bill as both parties issue new proposals. However, upside remained capped amid lingering concerns about the economic impact of the recent spike in new coronavirus cases.  Negative sentiment was also generated in reaction to a report from payroll processor ADP showing private sector employment in the US increased by less than expected in the month of November.

ADP said private sector employment rose by 307,000 jobs in November after climbing by an upwardly revised 404,000 jobs in October. Street had expected employment to increase by 410,000 jobs compared to the addition of 365,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month. Meanwhile, economic growth in the US has been characterized as modest or moderate by most Federal Reserve districts, according to the Fed’s Beige Book released. However, the Fed said four of the twelve districts described little or no growth, and five narratives noted that activity remained below pre-pandemic levels for at least some sectors. The central bank also cautioned that Philadelphia and three of the four Midwestern Districts observed that activity began to slow in early November as new coronavirus cases surged.

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 59.87 points or 0.2 percent to 29,883.79 and S&P 500 was up by 6.56 points or 0.18 percent 3,669.01, while Nasdaq lost 5.74 points or 0.05 percent to 12,349.37.


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