S&P 500 tops 2,700 on tech gains; Dow, Nasdaq hit records
The S&P 500 index rose above 2,700 for the first time on Wednesday and other major indexes hit record closing highs as technology stocks climbed after signs of robust economic growth. Stocks added slightly to gains late, with some support from Federal Reserve’s last policy meeting showing the US central bank would likely stick to gradual interest rate hikes. “They reiterated gradual rate increases, so that’s steady as she goes, which the stock market seems to like,” said Bucky Hellwig, senior vice-president at BB&T Wealth Management.
NEW YORK — The S&P 500 index rose above 2,700 for the first time on Wednesday and other major indexes hit record closing highs as technology stocks climbed after signs of robust economic growth.
Stocks added slightly to gains late, with some support from minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last policy meeting showing the US central bank would likely stick to gradual interest rate hikes this year. “They reiterated gradual rate increases, so that’s steady as she goes, which the stock market seems to like,” said Bucky Hellwig, senior vice- president at BB&T Wealth Management in Birmingham, Alabama.
Earlier in the session, data showed US factory activity increased more than expected in December, a sign of economic momentum at the end of 2017. Meanwhile, manufacturing surveys pointed to a strong start for the European economy.
For technology stocks, Alphabet, Inc., IBM and chipmakers were among the biggest drivers. The S&P 500 tech index, the bestperforming S& P sector in 2017 with a 37% jump, ended the day up 1.10%.
US chipmaker stocks surged for a second straight session, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor index up 1.70% in its strongest twoday performance since June 2016.
“The ( recent) selloff in tech stocks may have made that group look attractive today given that there’s still significant growth potential there both short term and long term,” Mr. Hellwig said.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 98.67 points, or 0.40%, to 24,922.68; the S&P 500 gained 17.25 points, or 0.64%, to 2,713.06; and the Nasdaq Composite added 58.63 points, or 0.84%, to 7,065.53.
The Cboe Volatility Index, better known as the VIX and a popular options-based gauge of expected near- term price volatility, closed at 9.15, just shy of its record low close of 9.14 on Nov. 3.
Gains in energy and health care also boosted the market. The S& P energy index gained 1.5% while S&P health care rose 1%.
Intel Corp. ended down 3.40%. The company acknowledged a report that a design flaw in its chips could let hackers steal data but said it was working on a solution that would not significantly slow computers.
Rival chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices climbed 5.20%. Nvidia Corp. gained 6.6% and Micron Technology, Inc. rose three percent.
Oracle Corp. shares were up 2.30% after Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating on the business software maker. —