U.S. major stock indices climbed higher on Thursday morning, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average achieving a historic milestone by surpassing 40,000 points.
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 indices rose to fresh record highs during morning trading on Wednesday following a broadly in-line inflation report and cooler-than-expected retail sales data for April, as traders increased their rate cut bets.
Inflation and retail sales slowed, signaling weaker consumer spending. Traders reacted by betting on Fed rate cuts, boosting S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 to record highs, while bonds also surged. Economists remain optimistic but cautious.
A worse-than-expected University of Michigan’s May consumer report halted stock gains on Friday, sparking worries about a potential decline in consumer health amid perceived rising price pressures.
The latest University of Michigan report showed a decline in consumer confidence and a worrying increase in inflation expectations, causing market reactions.
Wall Street is seeing a day of gains as all major indices traded in the green around noon in New York, driven by a surprising uptick in unemployment claims prompting speculation over Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.