The stock market has started the year on a generally positive note, with market participants hoping that 2021 will bring much-needed respite from the crushing conditions throughout 2020. Hope for faster progress in deploying coronavirus vaccines and prospects for additional stimulus payments have many excited about the future. As of 11:15 a.m. EST, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) was up 85 points to 31,094. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) rose 10 points to 3,810, and the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) picked up 55 points to 13,091. All three were below their all-time highs, but they remain within striking distance of new records.
Wall Street's finest are always looking to make smart-looking calls on stocks, and the beginning of the year is a great time for analysts to weigh in on popular companies. Today, positive calls on a couple of strong performers helped lift shares further, as both Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) and Skillz (NYSE: SKLZ) got favorable comments on top of releasing some interesting news.
Shares of Plug Power were higher by 15%. The fuel cell company got a business win and also earned some words of praise from analysts at Truist.
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Stock Markets Seek New Records as Plug Power, Skillz Soar