16 August 2024

NameDaily CloseDaily ChangeDaily Change (%)
Dow40563.06554.671.39%
S&P 5005543.2288.011.61%
Nasdaq17594.50401.892.34%
VIX15.23-0.96-5.93%
Gold2492.600.200.01%
Oil77.91-0.25-0.32%

US MARKET

Stock indexes climbed on Thursday, buoyed by positive retail and jobless claims data alongside a decrease in inflation concerns. Retail sales surged 1% in July, led by auto and electronics, exceeding expectations. This rise, along with a drop in jobless claims to 227,000, helped lift investor spirits. Treasury yields increased after inflation cooled to 2.9% in July.

Market optimism was reflected in the rise of major indexes with the S&P 500 up by 1.61%, Dow Jones by 1.39%, and Nasdaq by 2.34%. Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway adjusted its portfolio, China’s demographic changes impacted its economy, and falling interest rates spurred mortgage refinancing.

In the commodities market, oil and gold prices increased, and Bitcoin saw a modest rise.

LOCAL MARKET

The Australian share market extended its gains for the fifth day, inching up as a strong jobs report tempered expectations for near-term interest rate cuts.

The S&P/ASX200 and All Ordinaries indices rose slightly by 0.19% and 0.17%, respectively, after July’s employment figures exceeded forecasts with 58,000 new jobs, nudging the unemployment rate to 4.2%.

This robust job growth sparked a rise in the Australian dollar and shifted market expectations, leading to mixed sector performances and influencing views on future monetary policy.