US markets end mostly lower on Tuesday

23 Dec 2020 Evaluate

The US markets ended mostly lower on Tuesday amid uncertainty about the near-term outlook for the markets following the recent run to record highs. Reports about a new coronavirus strain generated some negative sentiment, although news of the approval of a new stimulus bill helped prop up the markets. The $900 billion relief package includes federal assistance for the unemployed, small businesses and healthcare providers as well as $600 in direct payments to individuals. The relief package was attached to a $1.4 trillion government spending bill that funds the government through September 30th. The bill is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump in the coming days. On the economic data front, the Commerce Department released revised data showing the US economy grew by slightly more than previously estimated in the third quarter of 2020.

The report showed the spike in gross domestic product in the third quarter was upwardly revised to 33.4 percent from the previously reported 33.1 percent. Street had expected the jump in GDP to be unrevised. The Commerce Department said the unexpected upward revision primarily reflected larger increases in consumer spending and non-residential fixed investment. Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors released a separate report showing existing home sales pulled back in the month of November. NAR said existing home sales tumbled by 2.5 percent to an annual rate of 6.69 million in November after jumping by 4.4 percent to a revised rate of 6.86 million in October. Street had expected existing home sales to slump by 2.2 percent to a rate of 6.70 million from the 6.85 million originally reported for the previous month.

Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 200.94 points or 0.67 percent to 30,015.51 and S&P 500 was down by 7.66 points or 0.21 percent 3,687.26, while Nasdaq gained 65.4 points or 0.51 percent to 12,807.92.

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