NEW YORK-The S&P 500 index inched upward on relatively light volume yesterday, with investors adding to winning positions in technology stocks, but avoiding large bets ahead of corporate earnings due next week. After days of struggling, the broader market index broke above the closely watched 1,333 level. The next closely watched technical point is 1,344, the high dating to June 2008. "It would be tough (to break above 1,344). We might go near that before the earnings since I think earnings will be mostly 'sell on the news'," said James Dailey, portfolio manager at TEAM Asset Strategy Fund in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
It has now been nine trading days since the S&P 500 rose or fell more than 0.7 per cent, a sign of relative calm amid few trading catalysts. Volume was 7.31 billion on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Amex and Nasdaq, compared with last year's estimated daily average of 8.47 billion. Markets derived some comfort from Tuesday's comments from Cisco chief executive John Chambers. Cisco Systems Inc shares rose 4.9 per cent to $18.07 after Chambers admitted on Tuesday the one-time technology bellwether and Wall Street darling has lost its way and will need to restore its credibility.
"This applies not only to Cisco but to many big tech names. The blue chips are still reasonably priced and we see a potential of these stocks leading higher."
The PHLX semiconductor index gained 1.5 per cent. Hewlett-Packard Co shares rose 2.2 per cent to $41.18. Microsoft Corp rose 1.4 per cent to $26.15. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 32.85 points, or 0.27 per cent, to close at 12,426.75. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 2.91 points, or 0.22 per cent, to 1,335.54. The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 8.63 points, or 0.31 per cent, to 2,799.82.
Stocks also got a lift from the president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, Dennis Lockhart, who said the Fed will complete its $600 billion bond-buying plan as scheduled at the end of June. He said he does not see any reason to end the program early.
The percentage of US stock market bulls rose to the highest level in nearly four months as equities continue to recover from their recent fall, according to a weekly survey of advisers by Investors Intelligence. Broadcom Corp shares gained 3.9 percent to $39.95 after Oppenheimer raised its rating on the chipmaker's stock and set a price target of $55. Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by 1,690 to 1,270, while on the Nasdaq, advancers beat decliners by 1,520 to 1,094. (Reuters)