The US stock market left a trail of optimism among investors as it closed with solid gains. At the New York Stock Exchange, the major indices showed notable increases: the Dow Jones rose by more than 0.65%, the S&P 500 surged by over 1.00%, and the NASDAQ experienced a vigorous rise of more than 1.60%, marking a very positive day.

These positive results are primarily attributed to the fall in Treasury bond yields from their recent highs, driven by unfavorable economic data.

In particular, the manufacturing PMI activity was at 49.9, below expectations of 52.0, while the services PMI weakened to register 50.9, also below forecasts of 52.00, for April 2024.

Investors are incredibly attentive to these indicators as they anticipate the upcoming Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index data, the inflation gauge preferred by the Federal Reserve, which will be released on Friday. These data will provide valuable insights into the direction of interest rates and the economy’s overall health.

This fourth week of April is essential as several prominent companies in the stock market are scheduled to release their quarterly reports. Among them are Meta (Facebook) and Ford on Wednesday and Microsoft and Google on Thursday, among others. Investor attention is focused on these reports, which promise to provide a clearer insight into the corporate performance of these companies and their influence on financial markets.

In summary, the positive close on April 23, 2024, reflects expectations about upcoming economic data and the focus on quarterly reports from leading companies.

The week promises to be dynamic and full of movement in financial markets as investors assess the economy’s future direction and adjust their strategies accordingly.