The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.84%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.63%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +1.20%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) are up +0.87%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) are up +1.25%.
Stock indexes are moving higher today on solid US economic news that indicates a resilient economy. Today’s reports on Dec capital goods new orders, Dec housing starts and building permits, and Jan manufacturing production were better-than-expected and bullish for stocks. Also, AI jitters temporarily eased, lifting chipmakers and software stocks. After months of gains in technology stocks fueled by AI optimism, equity markets have turned cautious amid doubts that heavy spending will yield meaningful returns or that new AI tools will disrupt many sectors of the economy, including finance, logistics, software, and trucking.
