US markets settle higher on Wednesday

13 Jan 2022 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Wednesday after a key inflation report showed a historic gain but largely matched expectations. While the report showed the annual rate of consumer price growth once again reached the highest level in almost 40 years, traders seemed relieved the acceleration was not even more significant. The report showed the annual rate of consumer price growth accelerated to 7.0 percent in December from 6.8 percent in November, showing the biggest yearly jump since June of 1982. Core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy prices, were up by 5.5 percent year-over-year in December compared to the 4.9 percent spike in November. The annual growth reflected the biggest surge since February of 1991.

The continued acceleration in the annual rate of consumer price growth came as prices increased by slightly more than expected on a monthly basis, although the pace of growth slowed from November. On the sectoral front, steel stocks moved sharply following data showing easing Chinese inflation, with the NYSE Arca Steel Index spiking by 2.9 percent to its best closing level in almost four months. Significant strength also emerged among gold stocks, as reflected by the 1.7 percent gain posted by the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index. The strength in the gold sector came as the price of gold for February delivery climbed $8.80 to $1,827.30 an ounce amid a decrease in the value of the US dollar. Natural gas stocks also moved notably higher amid a surge in the price of the commodity, driving the NYSE Arca Natural Gas Index up by 1.5 percent.

Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 38.3 points or 0.11 percent to 36,290.32, Nasdaq surged 34.94 points or 0.23 percent to 15,188.39 and S&P 500 was up by 13.28 points or 0.28 percent to 4,726.35.

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