Tracking the Trends
The American stock market surged today, propelling the Dow Jones index up over 150 points on a robust Friday morning.
Market Performance
At the opening bell, the Dow reached 39,249.71, marking a 0.46% climb, while the NASDAQ saw a 0.20% uptick to 16,073.78. The S&P 500 also joined the rally, achieving a 0.41% growth to 5,107.74.
Sector Standouts
Utilities sector soared by 1.1% today, showcasing a vibrant market pulse. Meanwhile, energy shares witnessed a slight drawback with a 1.1% decline.
Highlights of the Day
AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE: AER) reported stellar fourth-quarter earnings on Friday, with a notable 4% increase in total revenue and other income amounting to $1.899 billion. Adjusted EPS stood at $3.11, surpassing analyst expectations of $2.45.
Winners and Losers
AXT, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXTI) witnessed a remarkable surge of 79%, reaching $4.0690 after surpassing expectations with its fourth-quarter results. On the flip side, Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) experienced a 73% downfall to $0.6995 after Renesas scrapped a proposed acquisition deal.
Commodity Check
Oil prices faced a 2.1% dip to $76.94, contrasting gold’s 0.3% upswing to $2,036.30. Silver dropped 0.5% to $22.68, while copper saw a 1.1% decline to $3.8560.
Global Performance
European equities boasted a positive day, with the eurozone’s STOXX 600 climbing 0.5%. In contrast, Spain’s IBEX 35 Index experienced a minor 0.1% decrease. German DAX, French CAC 40, and Italy’s FTSE MIB Index all displayed notable gains.
View from the East
Asian markets portrayed mixed closures this Friday. While Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dipped by 0.10%, China’s Shanghai Composite Index climbed by 0.55%. India’s S&P BSE Sensex observed a modest 0.1% uptick.
Economic Insights
Baker Hughes rig count data for the recent week is slated to release at 1 p.m. ET, hinting at potential market shifts.
