U.S. Stocks Grind Higher With Focus on Stimulus: Markets Wrap

(Bloomberg) -- U.S. equities eked out a gain as investors tried to gauge the outlook for a stimulus bill to blunt the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The S&P 500 Index ended 0.4% higher after wavering between small losses and gains throughout the day. Energy companies led the advance as crude climbed. Financial shares suffered as American International Group Inc. fell after posting a $7.9 billion loss. Treasuries rose. Argentina's overseas notes rallied after the government reached a $65 billion restructuring deal with creditors.

With the S&P 500 less than 3% off its pre-pandemic high, U.S. equity investors are closely monitoring efforts in Washington to negotiate a new virus relief package that many see as key to keeping the economy afloat. The pressure is building as negotiators seek to shrink the wide gap that remains between Republicans and Democrats.

“We see U.S. stocks at risk of fading fiscal stimulus,” BlackRock Investment Institute strategists led by Mike Pyle wrote in a note. “U.S. employment figures are in focus this week as this fiscal cliff nears and the pandemic's spread in Sunbelt states is starting to affect economic activity.”

Elsewhere, shares dipped in Europe, with Diageo Plc tumbling after bar closures sapped sales. Major indexes rose more than 1% in Japan and Hong Kong.

West Texas-grade crude oil rose past $41 a barrel after the biggest gain in almost two weeks Monday. Spot gold reached an intraday record.

Here are some key events coming up:

• Euro-zone PMI reports are scheduled for Wednesday.
• Reserve Bank of India and Bank of England rate decisions due Thursday.
• Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan discusses the U.S. economy at Thursday event.
• July U.S. employment and jobs reports expected Friday.

These are some of the main moves in markets:

Stocks

• The S&P 500 Index rose 0.4% as of 4 p.m. New York time.
• The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 0.1%.
• The MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased 2%.

Currencies

• The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index slipped 0.2%.
• The euro rose 0.3% to $1.1801.
• The Japanese yen rose 0.3% to 105.67 per dollar.

Bonds

• The yield on 10-year Treasuries decreased five basis points to 0.51%.
• Britain's 10-year yield fell two basis points to 0.074%.
• Germany's 10-year yield dipped three basis points to -0.55%.

Commodities

• West Texas Intermediate crude rose 1.5% to $41.61 a barrel.
• Gold rose 1.8% to $2,012.38 an ounce.
• Copper fell 0.5% to $2.8965 per pound.

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