US markets end sharply higher on Tuesday

18 May 2022 Evaluate

The US markets ended sharply higher on Tuesday as the market’s rebound from the year’s sharp declines gained steam. Strong retail sales and industrial production data, some upbeat earnings updates and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's positive comments about the strength of the economy helped lift sentiment. Powell said he is confident that the central bank can raise rates and deal with inflation without sending the economy into recession, although he noted that it will be a challenging task. Powell said ‘The economy is strong. We think it is well positioned to withstand less accommodative monetary policy.’

On the economic data front, retail sales in the US increased by more than expected in the month of April, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Tuesday. The report said retail sales climbed by 0.9 percent in April after jumping by an upwardly revised 1.4 percent in March. Street had expected retail sales to rise by 0.7 percent compared to the 0.5 percent increase originally reported for the previous month. Excluding a rebound in sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales rose by 0.6 percent in April after surging by 2.1 percent in March. Ex-auto sales were expected to edge up by 0.3 percent.

Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 431.17 points or 1.34 percent to 32,654.59, Nasdaq rose 321.73 points or 2.76 percent to 11,984.52 and S&P 500 was up by 80.84 points or 2.02 percent to 4,088.85.

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