Major US stock indexes rose moderately, as the block of ambiguous economic data increased the likelihood that the Fed will be patient in the matter of further rate increases.

The report of the Ministry of Labor showed that the producer price index increased by 0.1% in February, after declining by 0.1% in January. Economists had expected prices to rise by 0.2%. According to the report, the rise in producer prices occurred against the background of a significant increase in energy prices, which rose by 1.8% in February after falling 3.8% in January. At the same time, food prices fell by 0.3% in February, increasing the decline by 1.7% in the previous month. Excluding prices for food and energy, prices of main producers also increased by 0.1% in February, after rising by 0.3% in the previous month. Base prices are also projected to increase by 0.2%. On an annualized basis, producer prices rose 2., 3% in February, reflecting a slowdown in growth of 2.5% in January. The annual growth rate of basic producer prices also slowed to 2.5% in February from 2.6% recorded in January.

At the same time, the Ministry of Commerce reported that orders for durable goods increased by 0.4% in January, after rising by 1.3% in December (revised from 1.2%). Economists had expected orders to fall by 0.5%. The unexpected increase in orders for durable goods was mainly due to the continued growth in orders for transport equipment, which grew by 1.2% in January after rising by 3.1% in December.

Another report by the Ministry of Commerce showed that construction spending rose by 1.3% in January after two months of recession. This was the largest increase in nine months, as the strength in non-residential construction and government projects compensated for the continued weakness in housing construction.

Almost all the components of DOW finished trading in positive territory (27 out of 30). The growth leader was UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH, + 2.43%). Outsider turned out to be shares of The Home Depot Inc. (HD; -1.45%)

Almost all sectors of the S & P recorded an increase. The base materials sector grew the most (+ 1.3%). Only the utility sector decreased (-0.1%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 25,702.89 +148.23 + 0.58%

S & P 500 2,810.92 +19.40 + 0.69%

Nasdaq 100 7,643.40 +52.37 +0.69%

U.S. stock-index rose slightly on Wednesday, as investors took a cautious stance ahead of another parliamentary vote on Brexit, which could send a shock through global markets.

Global Stocks:

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Barrick (GOLD) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Desjardins