💎 Fed’s first rate cut since 2020 set to trigger market. Find undervalued gems with Fair ValueSee Undervalued Stocks

US STOCKS-Banks boost Wall St after solid earnings

Published 10/21/2009, 11:13 AM
Updated 10/21/2009, 11:18 AM
BA
-
GOOGL
-
AABA
-
WFC
-
MS
-

* Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo post solid results

* Apple hits intraday high

* Indexes up: Dow 0.7 pct, S&P 0.9 pct, Nasdaq 1.2 pct (Updates to late morning, changes byline)

By Leah Schnurr

NEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks gained on Wednesday as results from banks including Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo topped expectations, and on increased optimism about the profit outlook for the technology sector.

Financial shares led the way, with Morgan Stanley jumping 6.7 percent to $34.71 after it posted a profit after three quarters of losses on strong fixed income sales and trading revenues.

Wells Fargo & Co and U.S. Bancorp results were boosted by revenue from underwriting mortgages, but the windfall could moderate as applications fall. Wells rose 0.7 percent to $30.71, while U.S. Bancorp gained 1.7 percent to $19.11. The KBW banks index rose 1.1 percent.

Although the robust results cheered the market, analysts raised concerns over how sustainable these types of profits would be in the long term.

"Back in March, the banks were priced as though they were going out of business, and in fact many people thought that," said John Canally, investment strategist and economist for LPL Financial in Boston.

"We've rallied out of the idea that they're not going out of business, and now it becomes more how are you running your business?"

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 51.32 points, or 0.51 percent, to 10,092.80. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 7.55 points, or 0.69 percent, to 1,098.61. The Nasdaq Composite Index put on 19.04 points, or 0.88 percent, to 2,182.51.

The Dow's gains were limited as Boeing Co shed 1 percent to $51.40 after the airplane maker posted a net loss on charges related to its long-delayed 787 plane and the 747 program.

Technology shares also bolstered the market on increased optimism about the sector's profitability.

Yahoo Inc climbed 4.4 percent to $17.93 the day after it beat profit and sales expectations and said advertising showed signs of life last quarter.

Apple Inc hit a record intraday high of $205.80. Google Inc was up 1.3 percent at $558.88.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.