Major US stock indices rose strongly, as investors gave impetus to the technology and health sector against the background of the results of the US midterm elections.

According to the results of the elections held on the eve of the elections, the Democratic Party won a majority in the House of Representatives, while the Republican Party of Donald Trump managed to maintain control over the Senate. Market participants estimate this outcome as the most favorable, since it is expected that such a distribution of forces in Congress will allow Trump to continue his economic policy, but will restrain his aggressive actions in the trade sphere.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell moderately, responding to data from the US Department of Energy, which reflected a larger than expected increase in oil reserves, an unexpected increase in gasoline reserves and an increase in oil production to a new record maximum. The US Department of Energy reported that in the week to November 2, oil reserves jumped 5.753 million barrels, to 431.787 million barrels. Analysts had expected an increase of only 2.433 million barrels. Oil reserves in the Cushing terminal increased by 2.419 million, to 34.296 million barrels, against an expected increase of 2.1 million barrels. Gasoline inventories rose by 1.852 million barrels, to 228.021 million barrels, compared with an expected decline of 1.7 million barrels.

Almost all the components of DOW finished trading in positive territory (29 out of 30). The growth leader was UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH, + 4.20%). Outsiders were The Procter & Gamble Company (PG, -0.24%).

All sectors of the S & P recorded an increase. The health sector grew the most (+ 2.6%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 26,180.30 +545.29 +2.13%

S & P 500 2,813.89 +58.44 +2.12%

Nasdaq 100 7,570.75 +194.79 +2.64%

Wall Street. Stocks before the bell

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

Downgrades before the market open

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) downgraded to Underperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Mkts

American Intl (AIG) downgraded to In-line from Outperform at Evercore ISI

Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (FOXA) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $0.52 per share (versus $0.49 in Q1 FY 2018), matching analysts’ consensus estimate.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $7.177 bln (+2.5% y/y), generally in-line with analysts’ consensus estimate of $7.226 bln.

FOXA rose to $47.25 (+0.19%) in pre-market trading.

New emissions rules in Europe, the high costs of product recalls and the U.S.-China trade dispute, the company said Wednesday. 

A positive start to trading on the stock markets of Europe is expected, following the positive tone on Wall Street and on Asian markets. The results of the midterm elections in the United States remain in the focus of the markets. As already known, the Democrats received a majority in the House of Representatives.