Major US stock indices have grown significantly, while the Dow and S & P 500 reached record highs amid hopes of investors that the US and China will be able to resolve the trade conflict and avoid a full-scale trade war

Attention was also drawn to the US data. As it became known, in August the Index of Leading Indicators (LEI) from the Conference Board for the USA increased by 0.4% to 111.2 after an increase of 0.7% in July. The leading economic index now significantly exceeds the previous peak (March 2006, 102.4).

"Leading indicators are consistent with a stable growth scenario in the second half of 2018 and at this stage of the maturing of the business cycle in the US, it's not much better than before," said Ataman Ozildirim, director of business cycles at the Conference Board. - The growth trend of the American LEI has softened since the beginning of the year. Industrial companies that are more sensitive to the business cycle should take into account the possible slowdown in economic growth in 2019. "

Oil futures moderately fell on Thursday after US President Trump called on OPEC to "cut prices now!", Which was slowed by the upward momentum that pushed the market to 4-year highs.

Almost all components of DOW have finished trades plus (28 of 30). The leader of growth was shares of Intel Corporation (INTC, + 2.26%). Outsider was the shares of The Home Depot, Inc. (HD, -0.14%).

All sectors of S & P recorded a rise. The consumer goods sector grew most (+ 1.1%).

At closing:

Dow 26,656.98 +251.22 +0.95%

S & P 500 2,930.75 +22.80 +0.78%

Nasdaq 100 8,028.23 +78.19 + 0.98%