All three indexes closed at new records today as investor optimism over the stimulus increased. Yesterday’s news of retail sales falling, unemployment increasing and the Moderna vaccine approval stoked the optimism.  The S&P has had a great year, climbing 15 percent and now investors are propping it up further looking for bargains in the conventional sectors of financials and energy.  Volume remains a little below the 4-week average at 10.5 billion. 

THU  DECEMBER 17, 2020  4:41 PM 

Wall Street ends at record highs as investors eye fiscal stimulus

By Karen Pierog, Noel Randewich

DJ: 30,154.54  -44.77        NAS: 12,658.19  +63.13        S&P: 3,701.17  +6.55       12/16

DJ: 30,303.37  +148.83     NAS: 12,764.75  +106.56      S&P: 3,722.48  +21.31     12/17

(Reuters) - Wall Street’s three main indexes closed at record highs on Thursday as investors grew more optimistic about a coronavirus stimulus bill, helping markets look past signs of economic strain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.  A surge in technology outsourcing firm Accenture gave the S&P 500 a major lift.  Top Republicans and Democrats grew closer to agreeing on a fresh round of aid in response to a crisis that has killed nearly 309,000 Americans and thrown millions out of work.

Many investors saw the passing of new measures to support the economy as imminent after data showed the number of Americans filing first-time claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week.  That followed a reading on Wednesday that showed U.S. retail sales falling more than expected in November, as consumer spending remained constrained.  “It’s all about stimulus today and expectations of a pathway to the deal,” said Ryan Giannotto, director of research at GraniteShares in New York City.  Developments on the vaccine front were also lifting the market, with Moderna Inc awaiting U.S. approval for deploying what would be the nation’s second COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna stock gained 5%.

The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 index of smaller companies all closed at their highest levels ever.  The S&P 500 has climbed about 15% in 2020, despite the economic destruction caused by the coronavirus.  Unofficially, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 148.83 points, or 0.49%, to 30,303.37 and the S&P 500 gained 21.31 points, or 0.58%, to 3,722.48.  The Nasdaq Composite, which closed at a record high for a third-straight day, added 106.56 points, or 0.84%, to 12,764.75. The Russell 2000 rose nearly 1.3% to 1,978.

Volume on U.S. exchanges was 10.5 billion shares, compared with the 11.4 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days.

“In the very short term, I think we are a little bit over bought here,” said Randy Frederick, vice president of trading and derivatives at Charles Schwab.  He noted that best-performing sectors like technology were most at risk of a pull back, while some of the “more unloved sectors” like financials and energy were getting fresh attention as investors looked for bargains.  The S&P 500 real estate, materials and health indexes each climbed more than 1%.

Google-parent Alphabet dipped nearly 1% after a group of 38 U.S. states and territories filed an antitrust complaint accusing Google of trying to extend its search monopoly to dominate smart speakers, televisions and cars.  Accenture jumped 6.9% after it raised its annual sales forecast and beat quarterly revenue estimates as an extended work-from-home period boosted its digital, cloud and security services.  General Mills Inc rose 1.3% after it beat second-quarter profit estimates, boosted by sales of its pet foods and baking products.

Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a 2.21-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 2.17-to-1 ratio favored advancers.  The S&P 500 posted 39 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 260 new highs and 10 new lows.