Major US stock indexes finished trading in positive territory

The main US stock indexes rose against the background of strong quarterly data from technological giants. The quarterly reports of Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), Intel (INTC) and Alphabet (GOOG) released earlier were quarterly better than forecasted by analysts.

In addition, the support of the market provided statistical data for the United States. As it became known, US GDP grew by 3% per annum in the third quarter, despite the damage from two hurricanes, according to the Ministry of Commerce. This is higher than the expectations of economists (+ 2.5%), and only slightly below the growth rate of 3.1% in the second quarter. The last time the economy had two consecutive quarters above 3% growth in 2014. The government said it can not say for sure how hurricanes Harvey and Irma reduced growth in the quarter from July to September. Since Puerto Rico is not a state, the impact of Hurricane Maria is not taken into account in GDP calculations.

However, the final results of the studies presented by Thomson-Reuters and the Michigan Institute showed that in October US consumers felt more optimistic about the economy than last month. According to the data, in October the consumer sentiment index rose to 100.7 points compared with the final reading for September 95.1 points and the preliminary value for October 101.1 points. It was predicted that the index will be 100.9 points.

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in the red (18 out of 30). The leader of growth was shares of Intel Corporation (INTC, + 7.59%). Outsider were the shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK, -6.28%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P index recorded an increase. The technological sector grew most (+ 2.1%). The sector of industrial goods decreased only (-0.1%).

At closing:

Dow + 0.14% 23.434.19 +33.33

Nasdaq + 2.20% 6,701.26 +144.49

S & P + 0.81% 2.581.07 +20.67