Blue-chip US benchmarks Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 reached new records on Wednesday. The 30-stock Dow gained 159 points, or 0.3%, to 49,621., while the broader market index inched up 0.1% to 6,955.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.1% shortly after the opening bell.
Six of the eleven sectoral indices were trading in red, with losses in materials and financials.
Among major companies, shares of chipmaker Intel and pharma major Eli Lilly jumped 4% and 3%, respectively. Texas Instruments, AMD and Moderna were down.
Wall Street's rally has continued, fuelled by optimism over strong corporate earnings and inflation staying low enough for the Federal Reserve to press ahead with interest rate cuts.
That upbeat sentiment has persisted even as global geopolitical risks intensify, including US actions in Venezuela, warnings of possible interventions elsewhere, and escalating tensions between China and Japan.
A rally in US Treasuries gathered pace after data showed hiring in December rose at a moderate pace, pointing to sluggish momentum heading into 2026. The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond fell 3 basis points to 4.14%.
Crude oil prices extended losses after the US moved to exert greater control over Venezuela’s industry and US forces seized a Venezuela-linked, Russia-flagged ship in the north Atlantic.
International benchmark Brent dropped 0.6% to $60.4 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate traded below $57 a barrel.
The US dollar was steady against major currencies. The Bloomberg Dollar Index was unchanged at 98.54. The yen and euro gained 0.1%, while the pound was flat.
Spot gold prices fell 1.1% to below $4,450 an ounce, while silver shed over 4% to $77.5.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Google-Parent Alphabet Dethrones Apple To Become World's Second-Most Valuable Company
US Stocks Approach Fresh Record With Fed In Focus: Markets Wrap
Hindustan Copper Shares Hit 15-Year High — Here's Why
US Stock Market Today: Dow Hits New High As Investors Ditch Tech for Broader Market; Dollar Steady
POPULAR