Major US stock indexes finished trading above zero

Major US stock indices rose slightly due to positive earnings reports from IBM, United Technologies and Procter & Gamble, as well as improved utility sector quotes.

In addition, as it became known, the production activity of the Fifth District has noticeably improved in January, and exceeded experts' forecasts, according to the latest Richmond Fed survey. The index of manufacturing activity from the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank rose to -2 points from -8 points in December. It was expected that the index will be -6 points. The increase in the index in January was due to an increase in the employment and supply components. The index of new orders fell to −11 points (the lowest since June 2016). Meanwhile, the index of outstanding orders fell to −21 points, which is the lowest since May 2009. However, manufacturers were optimistic that conditions will improve in the coming months.

Most of the components of DOW recorded an increase (18 out of 30). The growth leader was the shares of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM, + 8.66%). The outsider was Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM, -0.79%).

Most sectors of the S & P ended in a plus. The largest growth was shown by the utility sector (+ 1.0%), the largest decrease was by the base materials sector (-0.5%)

At the time of closing:

Dow 24,575.62 +171.14 +0.70%

S & P 500 2,638.70 +5.80 +0.22%

Nasdaq 100 7,025.77 +5.41 +0.08%