US markets end mostly higher on Monday

17 Aug 2021 Evaluate

The US markets ended mostly higher on Monday, with the Dow and the S&P 500 recovering to end the day at new record closing highs, while the Nasdaq regained ground but still closed in the red, as traders remained optimistic about the outlook for the markets despite some signs of weakness in the global economy. Concerns about the outlook for the global economy contributed to the initial weakness among stocks following the release of disappointing Chinese data. Chinese industrial production and retail sales growth slowed in July, suggesting a slowdown in the economic recovery amid new COVID-19 outbreaks and supply chain disruptions. Industrial production growth slowed to 6.4 percent in July from 8.3 percent in June, data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed. Output was expected to gain 7.8 percent.

Negative sentiment was also generated in reaction to a report from the New York Federal Reserve showing New York manufacturing activity saw significantly slower growth in the month of August. The New York Fed said its general business conditions index plunged to 18.3 in August from 43.0 in July. While a positive reading still indicates growth, street had expected the index to show a much more modest drop to 30.0. Besides, most of the major sectors ended the day showing only modest moves, although energy stocks saw significant weakness amid a steep drop by the price of crude oil. Crude for September delivery tumbled $1.15 to $67.29 a barrel.

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 110.02 points or 0.31 percent to 35,625.4 and S&P 500 was up by 11.71 points or 0.26 percent to 4,479.71, while Nasdaq fell 29.14 points or 0.2 percent to 14,793.76.

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