The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.38%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.21%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.59%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) are up +0.42%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) are up +0.63%.
Stock indexes are climbing today on optimism in the US economic outlook. Signs of a resilient US labor market are supportive of stocks after the Dec unemployment rate declined and average hourly earnings rose more than expected, despite a smaller-than-expected increase in Dec nonfarm payrolls. US housing news was also mixed, as October housing starts unexpectedly fell to a 5.5-year low, while building permits rose more than expected. Stock indexes added to their gains after the University of Michigan's US Jan consumer sentiment index rose more than expected.
