21 October 2024

NameDaily CloseDaily ChangeDaily Change (%)
Dow43275.9136.860.09%
S&P 5005864.6723.200.40%
Nasdaq18489.55115.940.63%
VIX18.03-1.08-5.65%
Gold2737.007.000.26%
Oil69.430.210.30%

US MARKET

U.S. stocks closed higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average edging up 0.1% to 43,275.91. The S&P 500 gained 0.4%, closing at 5,864.67, while the Nasdaq rose 0.6% to finish at 18,489.55.

Among S&P 500 companies, the top performers were Netflix Inc., which surged 11.09%, Lamb Weston Holdings Inc., up 10.17%, and Intuitive Surgical Inc., rising 10.01%.

On the downside, the biggest decliners were Bunge Global SA, dropping 6.33%, CVS Health Corp, which fell 5.23%, and The Cigna Group, down 4.85%.

LOCAL MARKET

 

Australian shares are poised for a higher open, following gains in U.S. markets as investors reviewed the latest earnings reports. The major indices recorded their sixth consecutive week of gains.

ASX futures rose 0.52%, or 44 points, by 8:00 a.m. on Monday, indicating a positive start for the local market.

Netflix shares surged 10.9% after posting its most profitable quarter ever, though other blue-chip earnings were less impressive. American Express shares fell 3.1% after the company’s revenue missed expectations.

So far, a small portion of the S&P 500 has released third-quarter earnings, with about 80% of those companies beating analysts’ estimates—consistent with previous quarters. Notably, strong earnings from major banks have fuelled optimism for a soft economic landing.

Technology stocks boosted both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, which gained 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.1% to a new record high.

In the commodities market, Brent crude oil fell 1.9% to US$73.06 per barrel, while gold rose 1.1% to US$2,721.46.

The Australian dollar traded at 67.07 US cents.