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S&P 500 Gains & Losses Today: Markets Surge After US, China Agree to Slash Tariffs

S&P 500 Gains & Losses Today: Markets Surge After US, China Agree to Slash Tariffs


Key Takeaways



Major U.S. equities indexes surged Monday as investors cheered the news of a trade deal between the U.S. and China that would see tariffs reduced for a 90-day period while negotiations continue.

The S&P 500 jumped by 3.3% as traders evaluated the deal, which came after tariff announcements rattled markets and spiked consumer fears over inflation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by about 1,160 points, rising 2.8%, while the Nasdaq soared by 4.4% as tech stocks that relied on trade with China benefited. Read Investopedia's full coverage of today's trading here .

NRG Energy ( NRG ) soared 26% to lead the S&P 500 higher after the company delivered better-than-expected quarterly results and an optimistic earnings outlook. NRG's adjusted earnings per share of $2.68 was more than 60% higher than the consensus estimate of analysts polled by Visible Alpha. The energy firm also announced a $12 billion acquisition of natural gas assets from LS Power Equity Advisors, adding 18 natural gas facilities across nine states.

Stanley Black & Decker ( SWK ) shares were higher by nearly 16% as the tools maker was in position to benefit from relaxed tariffs on China . The maker of DeWalt and Craftsman tools had previously projected that tariffs would cut its full-year earnings per share by about 75 cents.

Automation software maker Zebra Technologies ( ZBRA ) climbed more than 12%. It unveiled new manufacturing automation products at a conference this weekend.

Trucking and shipping companies, which stood to lose cargo volume from a decline in China trade, moved higher, with Old Dominion Freight ( ODFL ) advancing 11% and J.B. Hunt Transportation ( JBHT ) rising nearly 10%. Home improvement product maker Masco ( MAS ) rose more than 11% on investor optimism that tariff negotiations will help the company avoid steep cost increases.

Gold miner Newmont ( NEM ) was the worst performer in the S&P 500, sliding 5.9%, as prices for the precious metal fell amid the stock-market rally. Investors use gold as a safe-haven asset during periods of market volatility. Gold fell by more than 3% Monday as investors shifted out of the yellow metal and into the surging stock market.

Cigna Group ( CI ) fell by 5.3% following President Donald Trump’s executive order on prescription drug prices , which investors believed could have an impact on pharmacy benefit managers , companies that administer drug benefits for health managers. CVS Health Corp ( CVS ) also declined.

MarketAxess Holdings ( MKTX ), an electronic trading platform for fixed-income securities, fell 5.6% after it completed the purchase of a 90% majority stake in the RFQ-hub platform.

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