Investing.com – U.S. stocks closed lower Thursday as losses in the , and , sectors led stocks lower.
At the close in New York, the index fell 0.53%, while the index fell 0.54% and the index fell 0.65%.
The best performance of the session on the index came from the shares of Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:), up 1.92%, which corresponds to 1.20 points, closing the session at 63.84. Simultaneously occurring, shares of Merck & Company Inc (NYSE:) gained 1.50%, or 1.50 points, to end the day at 101.25, and shares of Merck & Company Inc (NYSE:) Boeing Co (NYSE:),up 1.08%,or 1.79 points, at the close of trading at 167.75.
The worst performer of the session was Unitedhealth Group (NYSE:) shares, which fell 3.33% or 17.77 points, with the stock trading at 515.76 at the close. Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:) fell 2.08% or 8.09 points to close at 380.78 and Home depot Inc (NYSE:) fell 1.65% or 6.96 points to 414.42.
The top performing companies in the S&P 500 index were Warner Bros Finding Inc (NASDAQ:), whose shares rose by 15.43% to 12.49, CH Robinson Worldwide Inc (NASDAQ:) rose by 4.46% closing at 114.00, e Western Pharmaceutical Services Inc (NYSE:), which gained 4.21% to close at 331.62.
The worst performers came from Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:), which fell 13.69% to 474.63 in late trading. Then the Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:), which loses 8.19% and closes at 229.11, and finally the Western digital Corporation (NASDAQ:) which closed 5.59% lower at 65.99.
The best performing companies in the NASDAQ Composite index were Palisade Bio Inc (NASDAQ:), whose shares increased by 68.57% to 2.36. Sealsq Corp (NASDAQ:) rose 60.87% to close at 1.85, and Himax Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:) gained 44.93% to close at 9.71.
The worst performances came from Parente golf bags Inc (NASDAQ:), which fell 73.36% to 0.37 in late trading.Then the company Keros Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:), which lost 73.15% and closed at 18.43, and finally the tff Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:) which closed 60.05% lower at 0.07 at the close.
Falling stocks outperformed rising ones on the New York Stock Exchange by 2,076 to 739, while 69 closed unchanged; On the NASDAQ, 2338 fell versus 970 rose, while 112 closed the session unchanged.
Warner Bros Discovery Inc (NASDAQ:) shares rose to 52-week highs; up 15.43%,or 1.67, to 12.49. CH Robinson Worldwide Inc (NASDAQ:) shares rose to 52-week highs; gaining 4.46%, or 4.87, to 114.00. Sacks Parente Golf Inc (NASDAQ:) shares fell to historic lows; falling 73.36%, or 1.03, to 0.37. Keros Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:) shares fell to record lows; declining 73.15%, or 50.22, to 18.43. Himax Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:) shares rose to 52-week highs; up 44.93%, or 3.01, to 9.71. Tff Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:) shares fell to an all-time low; falling 60.05%, or 0.10, to 0.07.
which measures the implied volatility of options on the S&P 500 index, rose 2.50% to 13.92.
Gold futures for February delivery fell 1.83%, or 50.38, to $2,706.32 per troy ounce. Elsewhere, crude oil for January delivery fell 0.34%, or 0.24, to $70.05 a barrel, while Brent crude futures for february delivery fell 0.11%, or 0.08, trading at 73.44 dollars a barrel.
EUR/USD was unchanged 0.25% at 1.05, while USD/JPY rose 0.11% to 152.62.
The Dollar Futures index, in turn, fell 0.27% to 106.68.
What are the key indicators that could signal a recovery in U.S. stock markets?
Interview between Time.news editor and Financial Expert:
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with financial expert Dr. Jane Smith. Dr. Smith, it’s great to have you with us today.
Dr. Smith: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right into it.We’ve seen U.S. stocks close lower recently, with notable losses across various sectors. What do you think are the primary factors contributing to this downturn?
Dr. Smith: It’s a multifaceted situation, really. Market sentiment has been impacted by concerns over inflation and interest rates, which continue to loom large over investor decisions.Additionally, the recent corporate earnings reports haven’t exactly instilled confidence.
Editor: Interesting. So, we saw the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all close down—0.53%, 0.54%, and 0.65% respectively. Which sectors do you believe are the most vulnerable right now?
Dr. Smith: The technology and healthcare sectors, in particular, have shown significant vulnerability. Investors are scrutinizing growth projections, and increased regulatory scrutiny, especially in healthcare, can create turbulence. The performance of high-growth stocks has also been under pressure recently.
Editor: Speaking of performance,coca-Cola,Merck,and Boeing were among the few that stood out with positive gains. What contributed to their resilience in a down market?
Dr. Smith: Thes companies have strong fundamentals and robust business models. Coca-Cola, for instance, has a well-established brand and diversified product offerings which provide stability. Merck is benefiting from a pipeline of promising pharmaceuticals, while Boeing’s recent performance can be attributed to increasing demand for air travel as recovery sets in.
Editor: It sounds like investor confidence in established companies is key. However, UnitedHealth reported the worst performance during this session. What can you tell us about that?
Dr. smith: UnitedHealth’s decline can be linked to a combination of factors, including concerns over healthcare policy changes and regulatory pressures. Moreover, any negative announcements regarding earnings forecasts can significantly impact stock prices, especially for companies in the health sector where margins can be thin.
Editor: Very insightful, Dr. smith. As we look towards the future, what should investors consider as we move into the next quarter?
Dr. Smith: Investors should keep an eye on economic indicators such as inflation rates and employment data, as these will provide clues about the Fed’s potential moves. It’s also wise to diversify portfolios and perhaps consider defensive stocks that have historically performed well during market downturns.
Editor: Great advice! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today, Dr. Smith. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the intricacies of the market with you.
Dr. Smith: Thank you for having me. I enjoyed our conversation!
Editor: And that’s it for today’s interview on time.news. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into the world of finance.