VWO - Japan Leads Asia Market Surge Europe Up Crude Oil Hovers Near $80 - Global Markets Today While US Was Sleeping | Benzinga
On Thursday, February 29, U.S. stocks, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, hit new highs while global markets rose, following an inflation report that met expectations, resulting in lower Treasury yields.
In economic data, the annual PCE inflation rate dipped to 2.4% in January 2024 from December 2023’s 2.6%. Core PCE inflation, excluding food and energy, slightly fell to 2.8% from December’s 2.9%, matching forecasts. Additionally, U.S. initial jobless claims increased by 13,000, reaching 215,000 for the week ending February 24.
Most S&P 500 sectors finished up, particularly communication, tech, and consumer discretionary stocks, while healthcare and consumer staples declined.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a modest increase of 0.12%, closing at 38,996.39. The S&P 500 experienced a ...