ZCZC
BCN-05
US-STOCKS-MARKETS
Wall Street ends mixed as Trump offers hope on trade
WASHINGTON, Nov 17, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Wall Street eked out a split finish
on Friday, reversing some earlier losses following hopeful comments on trade
from US President Donald Trump.
Trump gave the major stock indices a bump in early afternoon, announcing
that Beijing had made clear overtures toward resolving the US-China trade war
so he might not need to impose yet more tariffs.
Stocks forged higher, wiping away losses from earlier in the day when
Facebook and the semiconductors firms weighed on the market.
But due to a string of finishes in the red in prior sessions, the major
indices finished the week substantially lower.
The benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5 percent, rising to
25,413.22, but finishing the week 2.2 percent lower after a string of sell-
offs earlier in the week.
The broader S&P 500 added 0.2 percent to 2,736.27 but finished the week
1.6 percent lower.
But the Nasdaq, weighed down by losses in the tech sector, fell 0.2
percent, closing at 7,247.87, 2.1 percent lower for the week.
In New York, oil prices also ended lower for the sixth straight week but
benchmark WTI crude was flat.
Exxon Mobil added one percent while fellow Dow member Chevron grew 1.8
percent.
“Oil and gas stocks are doing well, because oil prices are off their lows.
We seem to have found a floor in that sector,” Chris Low of FTN told AFP.
Low said comments earlier in the day from Federal Reserve Vice Chairman
Richard Clarida could be seen as suggesting the central bank might be willing
to pause its interest rate increases in 2019.
“That was a real eye-opener because the market has three additional rate
hikes priced in, one this year, two next year,” he said.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs added to losses, however, falling 0.8
percent while Facebook sank another three percent on worries it could face
regulatory scrutiny after an unfavorable New York Times report on executive
conduct.
Shares in chipmaker Nvidia dove 18.8 percent after the company fell short
of expectations on earnings and forward guidance.
BSS/AFP/HR/0925