US markets end mostly higher on Tuesday

24 Feb 2021 Evaluate

The US markets ended mostly higher on Tuesday as traders reacted to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's prepared remarks before the Senate Banking Committee. Powell reiterated interest rates will remain at near-zero levels and the Fed will continue its asset purchases at the current rate until substantial further progress has been made toward its goals of maximum employment and price stability. Powell said ‘the economy is a long way from our employment and inflation goals, and it is likely to take some time for substantial further progress to be achieved.’ With regard to inflation, Powell acknowledged that consumer prices have partially rebounded following the steep drop last spring but noted prices for sectors that have been most adversely affected by the pandemic remain particularly soft.

The Fed chief said annual inflation remains below the central bank's 2 percent target and reiterated monetary policy is likely to remain unchanged until inflation is on track to moderately exceed 2 percent for some time. On the economic data front, the Conference Board released a report showing consumer confidence has improved more than expected in the month of February. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index rose to 91.3 in February from a downwardly revised 88.9 in January. Street had expected the consumer confidence index to inch up to 90.0 from the 89.3 originally reported for the previous month.

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 15.66 points or 0.05 percent to 31,537.35 and S&P 500 was up by 4.87 points or 0.13 percent to 3,881.37, while Nasdaq fell 67.85 points or 0.5 percent to 13,465.2.

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