US markets end higher on Thursday

08 Mar 2024 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Thursday amid optimism about the outlook for interest rates continued to inspire traders to get back into the markets following the pullback seen on Monday and Tuesday. After saying rate cuts were likely this year during Congressional testimony on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell doubled-down during remarks, saying cuts can and will begin this year. While Powell also reiterated officials needs greater confidence inflation is slowing, traders remain optimistic the Fed will begin cutting rates in June. Adding to the optimism about interest rates, the European Central Bank lowered its annual inflation forecast while announcing its widely expected decision to leave rates unchanged. 

Potentially adding to the buying interest on Wall Street, treasury yields saw further downside on the day, with the ten-year yield falling to its lowest closing level in a month. On the sectoral front, Semiconductor stocks led the way higher, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index soaring by 3.4 percent to a record closing high. Considerable strength was also visible among oil service stocks, as reflected by the 1.9 percent jump by the Philadelphia Oil Service Index. The strength in the sector came despite a modest decrease by the price of crude oil. Housing stocks also showed a strong move to the upside, driving the Philadelphia Housing Sector Index up by 1.6 percent to a record closing high.

Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 130.3 points or 0.34 percent to 38,791.35, Nasdaq gained 241.83 points or 1.51 percent to 16,273.38 and S&P 500 was up by 52.6 points or 1.03 percent to 5,157.36.


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