US markets gain on Bernanke's statement, economic data

27 Feb 2013 Evaluate

The US markets edged higher on Tuesday, recouping much of the prior day’s slide, on evidence of a solid finish for housing in 2012 and after Ben Bernanke defended the Fed’s monetary policy. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sent a strong signal that he backed the continuation of the central bank’s $85 billion bond-buying program. Bernanke warned that the Fed’s innovative policy could not completely offset the drag to the economy this year from fiscal policy. He urged lawmakers to defuse the sharp automatic spending cuts, known as the sequester. Bernanke added that Fed policy was not fostering a bubble in the stock market. Bernanke also stated that US banks would not suffer serious damage if Italy was forced to write down its debt. But any sign that Italy would be unable to stay in the euro would have broad impact on stock and bond markets and would put pressure on US financial institutions. Overall, Bernanke championed the Fed’s bond-buying program.

On the economy front, a gauge of consumer confidence jumped up in February, led by brighter expectations, after dropping in the prior month. The Conference Board stated that its consumer-confidence index rose to 69.6 in February, the highest level in three months, far exceeding estimates of 62.3. January’s level was revised to 58.4 from a prior estimate of 58.6. The confidence gauge plunged last month on consumers’ concerns over higher payroll taxes and fiscal uncertainty.

Besides, US home prices rose in December, as 2012 saw the best calendar-year growth in seven years. The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city composite index posted a 0.2% increase in December, following a 0.1% decline in November. After seasonal adjustment, home prices rose 0.9% in December. Separately, sales of new US homes jumped 15.6% in January to an annual rate of 437,000 to mark the highest pace of activity since July 2008, according to Commerce Department data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 115.96 points or 0.84 percent to 13,900.10, the Nasdaq added 13.40 points or 0.43 percent to 3,129.65 and the S&P 500 was up by 9.09 points or 0.61 percent to 1,496.94.

Indian ADRs closed mixed on Tuesday, HDFC Bank was up 0.48%, ICICI Bank was up 0.08% and Sterlite Industries was up 0.07%. On the flip side, Tata Motors was down 0.50% and Dr. Reddy’s Lab was down 0.46%.

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