Major US stock indexes finished trading in positive territory

Major US stock indices rose moderately, helped by a rise in prices for stocks in the base materials sector and the conglomerates sector.

The market was also supported by a recovery in US government bond yields, which weakened fears of a slowdown in economic growth.

At the same time, investors ignored the disappointing statistics on the US housing market, as well as weaker than expected consumer confidence data. As the report of the US Department of Commerce showed, the number of new home bookmarks in the US dropped sharply in February after a jump in the previous month. According to the report, in February, housing construction fell by -8.7% to an annual rate of 1.162 million, after rising by 11.7% to a revised figure of 1.273 million in January. Economists had expected the number of new housing bookmarks to drop to 1,213 million from 1,230 million reported in the previous month. At the same time, the number of building permits fell by -1.6% to an annual level of 1.296 million after a fall of -0.7% to a revised level of 1.1317 million in January. It was expected that the number of building permits would be reduced to 1,300 million from 1,345 million that were originally reported.

The Conference Board report showed that the consumer confidence indicator declined in March after recovering in February. According to the report, the US consumer confidence index fell in March to 124.1 from 131.4 in February. At the same time, the current situation index, based on the assessment of current business conditions and the labor market by consumers, dropped from 172.8 to 160.6. The expectations index, based on short-term consumer forecasts for income, business and labor market conditions, declined from 103.8 last month to 99.8 this month.

Most of the components of DOW finished trading in positive territory (23 of 30). The growth leader was The Walt Disney Co (DIS, + 1.96%). Outsider were shares UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH; -1.86%).

All sectors of the S & P recorded an increase. The largest increase was shown by the base materials sector (+ 0.9%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 25,657.79 +140.96 +0.55%

S & P 500 2,818.46 +20.10 +0.72%

Nasdaq 100 7,691.52 +53.98 +0.71%