Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 23-05-2018.

Major US stock indexes finished trading in positive territory, which was helped by a decrease in bond yield after the publication of the minutes of the Fed meeting

The protocol reported that during the May meeting, Fed officials signaled the likelihood of a rate hike in June. In addition, they discussed the question of how to characterize the strategy of the Central Bank, which intends soon to abandon attempts to stimulate economic growth. "If the dynamics of growth will meet expectations," probably, it will soon be expedient to take another step "towards higher rates, the protocols say.

Recall, following the results of the two-day meeting, which ended on May 2, the Fed kept the interest rate unchanged, in the range of 1.5% -1.75%, but did not rule out further rate hikes in order to normalize monetary policy to the equilibrium state.

A certain influence on the course of trading was provided by the US data. As it became known today, the growth of the US private sector in May increased, while the inflation of procurement rose to almost a five-year high. Private sector companies in the US said they were confident and accelerated growth in business activity in May, adding evidence of recovery in sustained growth in the second quarter of 2018. The seasonally adjusted Composite Index (PMI) of IHS Markit in the US reached 55.7 in May, compared with 54.9 in April, the highest for three months, and was well above the neutral level of 50.0.

However, the report, published by the Ministry of Commerce, pointed to the rollback in sales of new homes in the US in April. The report said that sales of new homes fell by 1.5% in April, to an annual rate of 662,000 units. Meanwhile, the indicator for March was revised downwards - to 672,000 units from 694 thousand units. Economists had expected that sales of new homes would drop to 679,000 units.

Most of the components of DOW finished trading in the red (16 of 30). The growth leader is McDonald's Corporation (MCD, + 1.30%). Outsider - General Electric Company (GE, -7,33%).

Most sectors of the S & P recorded a rise. The utilities sector grew most of all (+ 0.6%), while the commodity sector showed the greatest decline (-1.2%).

At closing:

Dow 24,886.81 +52.40 +0.21%

S&P 500 2,733.29 +8.85 +0.32%

Nasdaq 100 7,425.95 +47.50 +0.64%

U.S. stock-index futures fell on Wednesday, as investors continued to digest geopolitical developments, while awaiting the release of the minutes from the FOMC latest meeting.

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) upgraded to Buy at B. Riley FBR, Inc.; target raised to $20