US markets end higher on Wednesday

15 Feb 2024 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Wednesday with Nasdaq settling over 200 points. The rebound on markets partly reflected bargain hunting, with some traders seeing the sharp pullback on Tuesday as a buying opportunity amid ongoing optimism about the outlook for the markets. While yesterday's hotter-than expected inflation data further pushed back interest rate cut expectations, signs of continued strength in the economy is still expected to benefit the markets in the longer term. The Federal Reserve is also still likely to begin lower interest rates sometime in the coming months even if traders have to wait until June.

On the sectoral front, Computer hardware stocks showed a strong move back to the upside on the day, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index soaring by 3.4 percent to a record closing high. Substantial strength also emerged among tobacco stocks, as reflected by the 3.3 percent spike by the NYSE Arca Tobacco Index. Semiconductor, networking and biotechnology stocks also saw considerable strength, contributing to the rebound by the tech-heavy Nasdaq. Among individual stocks, shares of Lyft (LYFT) skyrocketed by 35.1 after the ride-hailing company reported better than expected fourth quarter results and provided upbeat guidance. Investing platform Robinhood (HOOD) also spiked by 13.0 percent after reporting fourth quarter results that exceeded analyst estimates on both the top and bottom lines.

Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 151.52 points or 0.4 percent to 38,424.27, Nasdaq rose 203.55 points or 1.3 percent to 15,859.15 and S&P 500 edged up 47.45 points or 0.96 percent to 5,000.62. 


© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×