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Wall Street closed sharply higher on Wednesday as Joe Biden took the charge of 46th U.S. President. Expectations of higher fiscal stimulus and strong fourth quarter 2020 earnings results bolstered market participants' confidence. All the three major stock indexes ended in the green.
How Did The Benchmarks Perform?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) surged 0.8% or 257.86 points to close at 31,188.38, marking its all-time closing high. Notably, 22 components of the 30-stock index ended in the green while 8 in red. The blue-chip index also recorded all-time intraday high at 31,235.98.
The Nasdaq Composite finished at 13,457.25, appreciating 2% or 260.07 points due to strong performance by large-cap tech stocks. This was the tech-heavy index's all-time high closing. During intraday trading, the tech-laden index recorded an all-time high at 13,486.13.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 advanced 1.4% to end at 3,851.85, reflecting its all-time closing high. The Real Estate Select Sector SPDR (XLRE), the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR (XLC) and the Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) climbed 2.1%, 3.1% and 2%, respectively. Notably, ten out of eleven sectors of the benchmark index closed in the green and one in red. During intraday trading, the broad-market index recorded an all-time high at 3,859.75.
According to Dow Jones Market Data, both the Dow and the S&P 500 posted their best Presidential Inauguration Day gains since Ronald Reagan took the oath of office for his second term in 1985. Moreover, the Nasdaq Composite registered the best Presidential Inauguration Day rally on record.
The fear-gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) was down 7.1% to 21.58. A total of 13.66 billion shares were traded on Wednesday, higher than the last 20-session average of 12.83 billion. Advancers outnumbered decliners on the NYSE by a 2.02-to-1 ratio. On Nasdaq, a 1.24-to-1 ratio favored advancing issues.
Markets Wait for Higher Stimulus
On Jan 14, President Joe Biden proposed a new $1.9 trillion coronavirus-aid package called “American Rescue Plan”. The proposed plan will include increasing direct payments to $2,000 from existing $600 and supplemental unemployment benefits to $400 per week through September. Minimum wage rate to be hiked to $15 per hour and moratoriums on eviction and foreclosure on mortgages to be extended to Sep 30.
The plan will include $20 billion for a national vaccination program, $50 billion for COVID testing, and $350 billion aid to state and local governments. In addition, the plan will provide $130 billion for reopening of schools, $35 billion for higher education and $5 billion for a “Hardest Hit Education Fund.”
Notably, on Jan 19, Janet Yellen, Biden’s designated nominee for Treasury Secretary, endorsed higher aid spending.
Strong Fourth-Quarter 2020 Earnings Results
Shares of Netflix Inc. (NFLX - Free Report) soared 16.9% after the company reported that it added 8.5 million paid subscribers globally in the last quarter compared with the consensus estimate of 6.5 million. The service surpassed 200 million paid subscribers for the first time in the last quarter.
Shares of Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. (PNFP - Free Report) surged 3.1% after the company reported fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share of $1.58, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.39.
Shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. (JBHT - Free Report) gained 1% after the company posted fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share of $1.44, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.27.
United Airlines (UAL - Free Report) incurred a loss of $7 per share in the fourth quarter of 2020, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $6.56. Results were hurt by coronavirus-induced weakness in air-travel demand. (Read More)
Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share of 27 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents. The bottom line also increased from the year-ago quarter’s profit of 26 cents. (Read More)
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
Image: Bigstock
Stock Market News for Jan 21, 2021
Wall Street closed sharply higher on Wednesday as Joe Biden took the charge of 46th U.S. President. Expectations of higher fiscal stimulus and strong fourth quarter 2020 earnings results bolstered market participants' confidence. All the three major stock indexes ended in the green.
How Did The Benchmarks Perform?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) surged 0.8% or 257.86 points to close at 31,188.38, marking its all-time closing high. Notably, 22 components of the 30-stock index ended in the green while 8 in red. The blue-chip index also recorded all-time intraday high at 31,235.98.
The Nasdaq Composite finished at 13,457.25, appreciating 2% or 260.07 points due to strong performance by large-cap tech stocks. This was the tech-heavy index's all-time high closing. During intraday trading, the tech-laden index recorded an all-time high at 13,486.13.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 advanced 1.4% to end at 3,851.85, reflecting its all-time closing high. The Real Estate Select Sector SPDR (XLRE), the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR (XLC) and the Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) climbed 2.1%, 3.1% and 2%, respectively. Notably, ten out of eleven sectors of the benchmark index closed in the green and one in red. During intraday trading, the broad-market index recorded an all-time high at 3,859.75.
According to Dow Jones Market Data, both the Dow and the S&P 500 posted their best Presidential Inauguration Day gains since Ronald Reagan took the oath of office for his second term in 1985. Moreover, the Nasdaq Composite registered the best Presidential Inauguration Day rally on record.
The fear-gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) was down 7.1% to 21.58. A total of 13.66 billion shares were traded on Wednesday, higher than the last 20-session average of 12.83 billion. Advancers outnumbered decliners on the NYSE by a 2.02-to-1 ratio. On Nasdaq, a 1.24-to-1 ratio favored advancing issues.
Markets Wait for Higher Stimulus
On Jan 14, President Joe Biden proposed a new $1.9 trillion coronavirus-aid package called “American Rescue Plan”. The proposed plan will include increasing direct payments to $2,000 from existing $600 and supplemental unemployment benefits to $400 per week through September. Minimum wage rate to be hiked to $15 per hour and moratoriums on eviction and foreclosure on mortgages to be extended to Sep 30.
The plan will include $20 billion for a national vaccination program, $50 billion for COVID testing, and $350 billion aid to state and local governments. In addition, the plan will provide $130 billion for reopening of schools, $35 billion for higher education and $5 billion for a “Hardest Hit Education Fund.”
Notably, on Jan 19, Janet Yellen, Biden’s designated nominee for Treasury Secretary, endorsed higher aid spending.
Strong Fourth-Quarter 2020 Earnings Results
Shares of Netflix Inc. (NFLX - Free Report) soared 16.9% after the company reported that it added 8.5 million paid subscribers globally in the last quarter compared with the consensus estimate of 6.5 million. The service surpassed 200 million paid subscribers for the first time in the last quarter.
Shares of Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. (PNFP - Free Report) surged 3.1% after the company reported fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share of $1.58, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.39.
Shares of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. (JBHT - Free Report) gained 1% after the company posted fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share of $1.44, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.27.
Pinnacle Financial Partners carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Stocks That Have Made Headline
United Airlines Q4 Loss Wider Than Expected, Shares Dip
United Airlines (UAL - Free Report) incurred a loss of $7 per share in the fourth quarter of 2020, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $6.56. Results were hurt by coronavirus-induced weakness in air-travel demand. (Read More)
Kinder Morgan Q4 Earnings & Revenues Beat Estimates
Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings per share of 27 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents. The bottom line also increased from the year-ago quarter’s profit of 26 cents. (Read More)
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>