Major US stock indexes finished trading in positive territory

Major US stock indexes retreated from previously reached highs, and completed the session with a minimum increase. The focus of the market participants was a block of data on the United States, speculation about who would become the next head of the Fed after Yellen, as well as reports of the resignation of US Secretary Rex Tillerson, which were then refuted.

Tillerson denied reports that he was resigning, and said that Vice President Mike Pence and other dignitaries had persuaded him not to resign because of increased tensions with US President Donald Trump.

As for the US data, the report from Automatic Data Processing (ADP) showed that the growth rate of employment in the private sector of the US slowed down in September less than expected. According to the data, in September the number of employed increased by 135 thousand people compared to the revised downward indicator for August at 228 thousand (originally reported growth of 237 thousand). Analysts had expected that the number of employees would increase by 130 thousand.

Meanwhile, data from Markit signaled a further increase in business activity in the US services sector. Although the growth rate slightly weakened compared to August, the growth in both activity and the influx of new orders was strong compared to the average for the last two years. The index of business activity in the services sector was 55.3 in September, slightly down from 56.0 in August. This confirmed the strong end of the third quarter, and the fastest average quarterly growth this year. Steady growth in output and new orders supported the increase in the number of employees. Additional workplaces helped alleviate pressure on capacity. Meanwhile, inflation of purchase prices was the fastest since June 2015, and inflation of selling prices accelerated the fastest in just three years.

In addition, it became known that the index of business activity in the US services sector, calculated by the Institute for Supply Management, rose to 59.8 points in September compared to 55.3 points in August. As a result, the index reached its highest level since August 2005 (at that time the index was 61.3 points). Analysts predicted that the figure will improve only to 55.5 points.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a decline (16 out of 30). Outsider were shares of General Electric Company (GE, -1.41%). Leader of the growth were shares of NIKE, Inc. (NKE, + 1.18%).

Most sectors of the S & P index finished trading in positive territory. The utilities sector grew most (+ 0.8%). The largest decline was shown in the financial sector (-0.3%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.08% 22.660.68 +19.01

Nasdaq + 0.04% 6,534.63 +2.92

S & P + 0.12% 2.537.72 +3.14