Major US stock indexes finished trading with an increase

Major US stock indexes rose slightly on Monday, amid continued growth in the health sector and the second straight session after the publication of positive macroeconomic news. Thus, according to the US Commerce Department, new orders for US manufactured goods marked their biggest increase in eight months in March, against a background of increasing demand for transport equipment, but the underlying trend remains weak against the background of a strong dollar. New orders for manufactured goods increased by 2.1%, noting the biggest gain since July 2014, after a revised fall of 0.1% in February.

In addition, oil prices decline moderately after today peaked this year. Market participants continue to analyze data on the manufacturing sector in China, which increased expectations for additional measures to support the economy. Earlier today it was reported that of the HSBC manufacturing PMI for China fell to 48.9 in April from 49.6 in March. It was expected that the figure will be 49.4. Manufacturing activity declined at the fastest pace in a year due to lower levels of new orders, fueling fears over a slowdown in the second largest economy in the world.

Most components of the index DOW closed in positive territory (23 of 30). Outsider were shares McDonald's Corp. (MCD, -1.68%). Most remaining shares rose JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM, + 1.68%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P closed in the positive zone. Most utilities sector grew (+ 0.9%). The decrease recorded only sector conglomerates (-0.2%).

At the close:

Dow + 0.26% 18,070.40 +46.34

Nasdaq + 0.23% 5,016.93 +11.54

S & P + 0.29% 2,114.47 +6.18