The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) is up 0.78%, while the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) is up 0.96%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) rises by 0.83% as of today. Key economic indicators showed a rise in weekly initial unemployment claims to 200,000, below the expected 209,000, and a Q3 GDP revision upward to 4.4%, surpassing the forecast of 4.3%.
Natural gas prices surged over 8% today to reach a three-year high, driven by increased demand from an Arctic cold front affecting much of the eastern U.S., leading to a 60% price rise this week. In corporate news, 81% of the 38 S&P 500 companies that have reported Q4 earnings so far have exceeded expectations, with an overall anticipated earnings growth of 8.4% for the quarter.
Overseas, the Euro Stoxx 50 has gained 1.22%, while the Nikkei Stock 225 in Japan rose by 1.73%. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has yet to rule on challenges to President Trump’s tariffs, with the next opinions unlikely to be issued for at least a month.
