US markets end higher on Friday

04 Jan 2025 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Friday with the tech-heavy Nasdaq leading the charge, as some traders looked to pick up stocks at relatively reduced levels following recent weakness. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 had closed lower for five straight sessions, with the Nasdaq ending Thursday's trading at its lowest closing level in a month. However, the major averages remain well off the record highs set in December amid uncertainty about the outlook for the markets following recent volatility. Some traders also remained away from their desks following the New Year's Day holiday on Wednesday, with below average trading activity potentially exaggerating the upward move.

On the economic data front, the Institute for Supply Management released a report showing manufacturing activity contracted at a slower rate in the month of December. The ISM said its manufacturing PMI inched up to 49.3 in December from 48.4 in November, although a reading below 50 still indicates contraction. Street had expected the index to come in unchanged. With the unexpected increase, the manufacturing PMI reached its highest level since hitting 50.3 in March 2024.

On the sectoral front, Technology stocks helped lead the rebound on Wall Street, as reflected by the particularly strong gain posted by the Nasdaq. Computer hardware and semiconductor stocks turned in some of the tech sector's best performances, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surging by 3.1 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively. Considerable strength was also visible among commercial real estate stocks, resulting in a 1.4 percent gain by the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index.

Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 339.86 points or 0.80 percent to 42,732.13, Nasdaq rose 340.88 points or 1.77 percent to 19,621.68 and S&P 500 was up by 73.92 points or 1.26 percent to 5,942.47. 


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