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US Stock Market Overview – Stocks Close Higher Led by Technology, Energy Bucks the Trend

By:
David Becker
Published: Feb 10, 2020, 21:03 UTC

Growth could slow to 1.2% in Q1

Wall Street Charging Bull

US stocks continue to trend higher. There continues to be inflow into dollar-denominated assets, which is buoying the greenback and buoying US stocks. US bonds have also been a beneficiary of the robust flow, moving down by 1.56%. Gold prices rose, helping to buoy metals and mining shares. Sectors in the S&P 500 index were mixed, led higher by technology shares which rose nearly 1%. Energy shares bucked the trend and were the worst-performing sector in the S&P 500 index.

Oil and gas producers led the energy sector lower as natural gas prices tumbled to 4-year lows, dropping nearly 5%. Oil prices were down approximately 1.5%, breaking through the $50 on WTI. CNBC conducted a survey over the weekend which showed that US growth could drop to 1.2% in the Q1 due to the effects of the coronavirus. The large-cap tech stocks continue to be the drivers behind the rise in US stocks.

Microsoft, Amazon, Apple and Alphabet continued to be the driving force behind the rise in technology shares. In fact, more than 40 stocks in the S&P 500 index are in bear market territory. Most of the gains in the S&P 500 index has come in technology and communications.

CNBC Survey Says US Growth Could Drop in the Q1

US growth could decline significantly in the Q1 according to CNBC. A survey that CNBC conducted of 11 forecasters over the weekend finds first-quarter GDP estimates averaging just 1.2%, down nearly a point from the fourth quarter. Expectations are for a bounce back to 2% growth in the second quarter, depending on the severity of the virus both in China and in other countries.

About the Author

David Becker focuses his attention on various consulting and portfolio management activities at Fortuity LLC, where he currently provides oversight for a multimillion-dollar portfolio consisting of commodities, debt, equities, real estate, and more.

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