US markets end higher on Friday

02 Mar 2024 Evaluate

The US markets magnified their previous session’s gains and ended higher on Friday with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 once again reaching new record closing highs. A report from the Institute for Supply Management showed manufacturing activity in the U.S. unexpectedly contracted at an accelerated rate in the month of February. The ISM said its manufacturing PMI dipped to 47.8 in February from 49.1 in January, with a reading below 50 indicating contraction. Street had expected the index to inch up to 49.5. Also, the University of Michigan released revised data showing consumer sentiment in the U.S. unexpectedly deteriorated in the month of February. The report said the consumer sentiment index for February was downwardly revised to 76.9 from the previously reported 79.6. Street had expected the reading to be unrevised. With the unexpected downward revision, the consumer sentiment index is now below the January reading of 79.0. The weak data contributed to a downturn by treasury yields, which added to optimism about the Federal Reserve eventually cutting interest rates. 

Meanwhile, the surge by the Nasdaq partly reflected substantial strength among computer hardware stocks following upbeat results from Dell (DELL), with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index soaring by 6.9 percent to a record closing high. Shares of Dell skyrocketed by 31.6 percent after the computer maker reported fourth quarter results that exceeded analyst estimates on both the top and bottom lines. Biotechnology and networking stocks also saw considerable strength, while gold, oil service and pharmaceutical stocks turned in some of the best performances outside the tech sector.

Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 90.99 points or 0.23 percent to 39,087.38, Nasdaq rose 183.02 points or 1.14 percent to 16,274.94 and S&P 500 was up by 40.81 points or 0.80 percent to 5,137.08.

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

×