Investing.com - The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed 2016 more than 4,300 points above its low last January of 15,451, propelled by a post-election surge, informed by President-elect Trump's federal spending promises, according to analysts.
The Dow is closing in on the landmark 20,000 point, coming tantalizingly close several times late last year.
Last year, the three major indexes notched healthy gains in 2016. The Dow was up 13.4%; the S&P gained 9.5%; and the Nasdaq was up 7.5%. That's not bad considering both the Dow and S&P 500 showed a slight downturn in 2015.
But 2016 started with a scare. The Dow dropped 1,079 points during the first week because of worries about China's economic contraction and plunging oil prices. The 6% dip was the Dow's worst five-day start to a year on record.
Oil recovered late in the year, and is on track for $60 per barrel.
OPEC and non-OPEC countries agreed on a production cut in late November and early December that have helped the commodity regain some lost ground quickly.
Looking toward the new year, stocks in healthcare companies may see an uptick, due to reform of healthcare financing, expected under the new presidency of Donald Trump. Major insurers Aetna (NYSE:AET), Blue Cross Blue Shield, which administer public aid programs for the federal government, including the failed Obamacare program, will see investor interest. "Obamacare just doesn't work," said President-elect Trump, in a gaggle with reporters on New Year's Eve.