4:05pm: US equities close higher on debt ceiling deal
US stocks closed higher as congressional lawmakers reached a deal to increase the debt ceiling in the short term.
The agreement, according to reports, will extend the debt ceiling through early December.
Also helping sentiment on Thursday -- weekly jobless claims fell sharply last week as the enhanced unemployment benefits ended. Initial filings for unemployment benefits totaled 326,000 for the week ended October 2, below the 345,000 estimates and a drop from the previous week’s 364,000.
One the day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 337 points, or 0.98%, to 34,754, while the S&P 500 rose 0.83% to 4,399.
And the tech-heavy Nasdaq jumped 1.05% to 14,654.
12:05pm: The Dow Jones Industrial Average continues triple digit uptick
After a choppy start to the trading week, the DJIA added another 545 points (1.59%) to sit at 34,962 at the lunch hour. The tech weighted NASDAQ was also up 246 points (1.70%) holding in the 14,748 range. Making a more modest gain, the S&P 500 climbed 63 points (1.57%) at midday.
The late week positivity is courtesy of an extension to the US debt ceiling which was announced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday morning. The move to push the deadline for the debt ceiling to December paired with a more pronounced decline in last week’s jobless claims acted as rising tide, benefiting the broad markets.
Elsewhere, gold which is currently trading for US$1,757, continues to remain well off its year-to-date high of US$1,900 set in May. While the yellow metal has faced challenges as investors take on more risk, the World Gold Council (WGC) sees a rise in demand ahead, as investors look to diversify.
“However, many assets become more correlated in times of heightened uncertainty meaning not all diversifiers protect portfolios when they need it most,” a WGC Gold Market Commentary report read.
It continued: “Gold, on the other hand, behaves differently. Its negative correlation to risk assets increases when they sell off. What’s more, gold can also exhibit a positive correlation to risk assets when they are rising.”
11.30am: Proactive North America headlines:
Tartisan Nickel reports high grade assay results from its Kenbridge nickel-copper property in Ontario
Lucky Minerals (TSX-V:LKY, OTC:LKMNF) unveils new assay results that expands Wakya mineralization on the Fortuna property
Fobi acquires PassWallet, a leading Android wallet pass issuer with more than six million downloads
Real Luck Group (TSX-V:LUCK, OTCQB:LUKEF) announces the appointment of David Conde as its new Head of Data
Gevo engages Kiewit Energy Group to lead the Front End Engineering Design effort for its Net-Zero 1 Project in South Dakota
Avalon GloboCare announces co-development of in-silico system to expand its ability to design and produce novel cell membrane proteins
Bam Bam Resources (CSE:BBR) discovers second oxide copper zone at Majuba Hill
Scottie Resources hits high-grade gold along the northern extension of the Blueberry Zone in BC's Golden Triangle
ACME Lithium says sampling program at Fish Lake Valley reveals new lithium values
District Metals kicks off Phase II, 5,000-metre drill program at its Tomtebo polymetallic property
PlantX Life applies to list its common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange with the view of increasing access to capital markets
Playgon Games (TSX-V:DEAL, OTCQB:PLGNF) goes live with Bally unit Solid Gaming
LeanLife announces distribution partnership with Prime Global Ventures
LexaGene says its largest study validates accuracy of its veterinary test panel
Psyched Wellness (CSE:PSYC, OTCQB:PSYCF) to examine potential health benefits of Amanita muscaria extract AME-1 in new study
Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) says Canadian study using its technology proves remote patient monitoring improves outcomes
MGX Minerals says strategic review for space and nuclear metals is underway
Cardano left behind as Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to rally
Mason Graphite, through JV company Black Swan Graphene, wins US and Canadian patents for 2D material production
Nextech AR launches ‘3D Rooms’ for virtual previews of home furnishings and decor
PsyBio Therapeutics successfully demonstrates commercial-scale manufacturing feasibility
Phunware says it will design, build and support the new Headlines+ website and mobile application portfolio for Intermarkets
Newrange Gold announces retirement of Robert Carrington, who will step down as chairman, director and president of the company
Royal Wins launches popular Kash Karnival app in Australia
Evergold wraps up drilling at Snoball for 400m; awaits assays from Golden Lion property
CytoDyn announces study to evaluate potential synergistic effects of Leronlimab with immune checkpoint blockade
Delta 9 Cannabis products to be offered on VIVO's Canna Farms e-commerce marketplace
Mednow signs agreement with Sterling Capital Brokers to market Mednow’s digital pharmacy and healthcare platform to its plan members
IQ-AI raises £620,000 for technology development
Plurilock receives purchase orders worth US$326,000 from US Marshals Service and US Drug Enforcement Administration
Trust Stamp (OTCQX:IDAI, EURONEXT:AIID) to provide secure crypto key vault solution for financial institutions
COVID-19: Pfizer vaccine protection could drop to 20% after 5 months, study shows
Kodiak Copper boosts board with 'Indigenous relations' strategist and 'Social Innovator' Lana Eagle
Falcon forms Latamark Resources to develop Latin American projects
9.50am: US stocks start higher
US stocks started in New York higher as traders hoped that Congress would strike a deal to avoid a US government shutdown.
Shortly after the bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained around 376 points at 34,793. The S&P 500 added around 42 at 4,405.
The tech-laden Nasdaq index added over 153 points at 14,655.
Yesterday, Senate minority Leader Mitch McConnell offered a short-term suspension proposal to Senate Democrats - a temporary deal that would raise the debt ceiling by a specific amount and allow the government to keep operating until some point in December this year.
Christopher Harvey, senior equity analyst at Wells Fargo Securities, was quoted on CNBC as saying: "We view yesterday’s offer from Senate GOP leadership not as a durable solution, but rather as an invitation to stave off a potentially immediate disaster - a small positive."
6.30am: US stocks seen opening higher
US stocks are expected to rise when the market opens, building on a recovery in late Wednesday trading following a report that Congress might reach a short-term agreement to raise the government borrowing limit, giving the Treasury headroom until December and preventing a default.
Investors are now looking to Friday's key non-farm payroll data for further direction.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.56% in Thursday pre-market trading, while the broader S&P 500 index added 0.68% and those for the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 gained 0.94%.
The Nasdaq led Wednesday’s turnaround, adding 0.47% to finish at 14,502 points, while the S&P 500 was not too far behind at 4,364 points, a 0.41% gain. The Dow also had a good session, finishing 0.3% higher to close at 34,417 points.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, said stock markets are in a bullish mood this morning in Europe, with gains fuelled by hopes of some progress in US debt ceiling talks.
“The debt ceiling discussion in the US, with all its unhappy memories of years past, has been the missing element to drive markets lower over the past month and hit the solid wall of risk appetite that seemed to be so invulnerable during the year so far," Beauchamp said.
"Reports of at least a temporary extension, therefore, were sufficient to spark a recovery in stock markets yesterday on the reduced fears (already misplaced really) that some kind of US debt crisis was at hand.
“It is too early to say that the run lower is at an end, and with non-farm payrolls tomorrow and earnings season next week there is still plenty of scope for volatility, but the key worry for investors appears to have been dealt with for the time being.”