Major US stock indices rose significantly on Monday, as investors bet on US lawmakers who must strike a deal to stop the closure of the federal government. At the same time, the market is supported by a flurry of M & A deals, which inspired investors.

In addition, as a result of improved production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed's economic activity index (CFNAI) rose to +0.27 in December from +0.11 in November. Two of the four broad categories of indicators that make up the index have increased since November, and three of the four categories made a positive contribution to the index in December. The three-month moving average of the index, CFNAI-MA3, fell to +0.42 in December from +0.43 in November.

The cost of oil increased by about 1%, supported by weakness of the US dollar, comments from Saudi Arabia, as well as strong economic growth, which helped to strengthen the demand for petroleum products. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that OPEC and other producers will continue to cooperate on reducing oil production after 2018.

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in positive territory (20 out of 30). Leader of growth were shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, + 2.87%). Outsider - NIKE, Inc. (NKE, -1.25%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P index finished trading in positive territory. The base materials sector grew most (+ 1.2%). The sector of industrial goods decreased only (-0.1%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.55% 26,214.60 +142.88

Nasdaq + 0.98% 7,408.03 +71.65

S & P + 0.81% 2,832.97 +22.67

U.S. stock-index futures fell slightly on Monday, as investors assessed the impact of the government's ongoing partial shutdown in the U.S. At the same time, the further decline was limited by the expectations of broadening global economic growth and the profit expansion.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 23,816.33 +8.27 +0.03%

Hang Seng 32,393.41 +138.52 +0.43%

Shanghai 3,501.36 +13.50 +0.39%

S&P/ASX 5,991.90 -13.90 -0.23%

FTSE 7,736.92 +6.13 +0.08%

CAC 5,541.48 +14.97 +0.27%

DAX 13,452.63 +18.18 +0.14%

Crude $63.29 (-0.03%)

Gold $1,333.10 (0%)

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

General Electric (GE) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BofA/Merril

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) downgraded to Neutral from Outperformer at CIBC

American Express (AXP) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Guggenheim

Apple (AAPL) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Atlantic Equities

Verizon (VZ) upgraded to Sector Outperform from Sector Perform at Scotia Howard Weil

January 23

Before the Open:

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Consensus EPS $1.72, Consensus Revenues $20090.28 mln.

Procter & Gamble (PG). Consensus EPS $1.14, Consensus Revenues $17389.73 mln.

Travelers (TRV). Consensus EPS $1.51, Consensus Revenues $6466.20 mln.

Verizon (VZ). Consensus EPS $0.88, Consensus Revenues $33190.02 mln.

January 24

Before the Open:

General Electric (GE). Consensus EPS $0.29, Consensus Revenues $33745.25 mln.

United Tech (UTX). Consensus EPS $1.56, Consensus Revenues $15372.26 mln.

After the Close:

Ford Motor (F). Consensus EPS $0.39, Consensus Revenues $36840.81 mln.

January 25

Before the Open:

3M (MMM). Consensus EPS $2.03, Consensus Revenues $7849.73 mln.

Caterpillar (CAT). Consensus EPS $1.78, Consensus Revenues $12008.13 mln.

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX). Consensus EPS $0.49, Consensus Revenues $4877.28 mln.

After the Close:

Intel (INTC). Consensus EPS $0.87, Consensus Revenues $16341.90 mln.

Starbucks (SBUX). Consensus EPS $0.57, Consensus Revenues $6196.44 mln.

January 26

Before the Open:

Honeywell (HON). Consensus EPS $1.84, Consensus Revenues $10812.87 mln.

European stocks rose on Friday, with gains for industrial and tech shares helping the region's benchmark bag a third straight weekly win, as investors appeared to set aside concerns about a possible shutdown of the U.S. government.

It's still early, but so far fourth-quarter earnings season is confirming what most investors had already suspected: a lower corporate tax rate is likely to boost profits and may even percolate into the broader economy.

Most Asian markets traded lower on Monday as investors kept an eye on political developments in the U.S. after a government shutdown began last week. Japan's Nikkei 225 edged down 0.18 percent in afternoon trade. Automakers were mixed: Toyota declined 0.68 percent while Mitsubishi Motors tacked on 1.97 percent.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei +44.69 23808.06 +0.19%

TOPIX +12.88 1889.74 +0.69%

Hang Seng +132.95 32254.89 +0.41%

CSI 300 +13.98 4285.40 +0.33%

Euro Stoxx 50 +28.16 3649.07 +0.78%

FTSE 100 +29.83 7730.79 +0.39%

DAX +153.02 13434.45 +1.15%

CAC 40 +31.68 5526.51 +0.58%

DJIA +53.91 26071.72 +0.21%

S&P 500 +12.27 2810.30 +0.44%

NASDAQ +40.33 7336.38 +0.55%

S&P/TSX +69.00 16353.46 +0.42%