US markets end mostly in red on Wednesday

30 Nov 2023 Evaluate

The US markets ended mostly in red on Wednesday as traders looked ahead to the release of key inflation readings on Thursday. The Commerce Department's report on personal income and spending includes readings on inflation said to be preferred by the Fed and could impact on the outlook for interest rates. However, Markets saw early strength amid ongoing optimism about the outlook for interest rates despite conflicting remarks by Federal Reserve officials. While Fed Governor Christopher Waller said Tuesday he is increasingly confident that policy is currently well positioned, Fed Governor Michelle W. Bowman said she expects further rate hikes will be needed. Traders seem to be focusing more on the comments that reinforce expectations the Fed will leave policy unchanged until cutting rates beginning in mid-2024.

Positive sentiment also generated in reaction to a surge by shares of General Motors (GM), with the auto giant spiking by 9.4 percent after announcing $10 billion stock buyback and increasing its dividend. On the sectorial front, Computer hardware stocks saw substantial strength on the day, driving the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index up by 2.9 percent to a record closing high. Data infrastructure company NetApp (NTAP) led the sector higher after reporting better than expected fiscal second quarter results and raising its fiscal third quarter and full-year guidance. Significant strength was also visible among banking stocks, as reflected by the 2.0 percent surge by the KBW Bank Index. The index reached its best closing level in over three months. Telecom, brokerage and semiconductor stocks also saw notable strength, while tobacco stocks and energy stocks moved to the downside.

Nasdaq fell 23.27 points or 0.16 percent to 14,258.49 and S&P 500 was down by 4.31 points 0.09 percent to 4,550.58, while Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 13.44 points or 0.04 percent to 35,430.42. 


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