Major US stock indices rose strongly, reaching new record levels, supported by high incomes from Intel (INTC) and the pharmacist AbbVie (ABBV), as well as the weakness of the US dollar.

The focus was also on the United States. The Commerce Department reported that the US economy continued to grow in the fourth quarter, losing a little momentum from the summer, but gained enough strength to extend one of its best periods in recent years. Gross domestic product - the cost of all goods and services produced in the US - adjusted for inflation, from October to December increased by 2.6% on an annualized basis. Economists had expected growth of 2.9%. In the second and third quarters the output slightly exceeded 3%. The last growth, caused by a significant increase in the costs of US consumers and enterprises, has limited the best year of the economy since 2014. In the fourth quarter, the volume of output increased by 2.5% compared to the previous year. It grew by 1.8% in 2016 and by 2% in 2015. Last year was the fourth best calendar year of growth since expansion began in mid-2009.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a rise (24 out of 30). The leader of growth was shares of Intel Corporation (INTC, + 10.23%). Outsider were shares of Caterpillar Inc. (CAT, -1.43%).

All sectors of S & P finished trading in positive territory. The healthcare sector grew most (+ 1.7%).

At closing:

Dow + 0.85% 26.616.71 +223.92

Nasdaq + 1.28% 7.505.77 +94.61

S & P + 1.18% 2.872.87 +33.62