Major US stock indices showed mixed dynamics: the S & P 500 and Dow Jones grew, supported by optimistic housing market data and a rise in the price of bank shares, caused by the growth of bond yields, while the fall of Microsoft put pressure on the Nasdaq index.

As it became known, the demand for new houses is strong, but the new construction activity was slow and uneasy. The laying of new houses in August amounted to 1.282 million in view of seasonal fluctuations, the Ministry of Commerce reported. This is 9.2% higher than in July, and 9.4% higher than a year ago. Builders of housing in August laid more houses, which was good news for a starving housing market. The pace in August exceeded the consensus forecast of 1.235 million. But they applied for fewer permits: 1.229 million permits in August. They decreased by 5.7% per month and by 5.5% compared to the previous year.

Oil futures have risen in price, fueled by concerns that producers may not cover the supply deficit as soon as US sanctions against Iran take effect in November. Support prices also provided fresh data from the US Energy Ministry for oil products, according to which, for the week to September 14, oil reserves fell by 2.057 million barrels, to 394.137 million barrels. Analysts had expected a decline in inventories at 2.741 million barrels.

Most components of DOW have finished trading in positive territory (21 out of 30). Leader of the growth were shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM, + 3.08%). Outsider were the shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ, -1.71%).

S & P sectors demonstrated mixed dynamics. The financial sector grew most (+ 1.0%). The utilities sector showed the greatest decrease (-1.8%).

At closing:

Dow 26,405.76 +158.80 + 0.61%

S & P 500 2,907.95 +3.64 +0.13%

Nasdaq 100 7,950.04 -6.07 -0.08%