Stocks jump on stimulus hopes and Trump’s hospital departure

NEW YORK

Wall Street rallied Monday as hopes for economic aid from Washington helped it recover all its knee-jerk losses after learning President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

The S&P 500 jumped 60.19 points, or 1.8%, to 3,408.63 amid widespread gains, with nine out of 10 stocks in the index rising. Energy producers and tech companies led the way.

Treasury yields, stocks overseas and oil all climbed after Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi both noted the importance over the weekend of additional support for the economy. The market’s rally accelerated after Trump tweeted in the afternoon that he’ll leave the hospital, though his medical team said he “may not entirely be out of the woods yet.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 465.83 points (1.7%) to 28,148.64, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 257.47 (2.3%) to 11,332.49. Smaller stocks rose even more in an indication of improved market optimism, and the Russell 2000 index jumped 42.67 (2.8%) to 1,581.96.

The lift follows through on a comeback that helped markets cut their losses on Friday, after Trump’s condition became publicized. Stocks initially tumbled as the jolt of uncertainty raised concerns that a White

House victory for Democrat Joe Biden would mean higher taxes and tighter regulations for companies, which could drag down their profits. But analysts said a Democratic sweep of the election could also raise the probability of a big government support plan for the economy, something that investors have been clamoring for since jobless benefits and other stimulus that Congress approved in March expired.