The main US stock indexes mostly rose during today's trading. The profits of the energy and health sectors supported the S & P 500 and Nasdaq, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined due to losses in the financial sector.
A certain influence on the dynamics of trading was provided by the US. As it became known today, the number of signed contracts for the sale of houses grew in February and was at the second highest level in a decade. Unfinished transactions for the sale of housing in February rose by 5.5% after falling by 2.8% in January, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported. The report said that the stock market growth and permanent hiring contributed to an increase, as well as fears of home buyers for rising interest rates. The NAR added that the warmest February for decades also played a role. NAR predicts a 2.3% increase in sales on the secondary housing market and a 4% increase in average house prices in 2017.
At the same time, the cost of oil jumped by more than 2% against the background of the report of the US Energy Ministry, which reflected a weaker increase in oil reserves and a reduction in gasoline and distillate stocks. The market was also supported by a violation of supplies of Libyan oil and the growing likelihood of an extension of the agreement on production reduction.
The components of the DOW index mostly decreased (18 out of 30). More shares fell UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, -1.09%). The leader of growth were shares of Chevron Corporation (CVX, + 0.72%).
Most sectors of the S & P index ended the session in positive territory. The leader of growth was the sector of basic materials (+ 1.0%). The financial sector fell most (-0.4%).
At closing:
DJIA -0.20% 20.660.55 -40.95
Nasdaq + 0.38% 5,897.55 +22.41
S & P + 0.11% 2,361.18 +2.61