The US stock market closed Thursday session in different directions due to the strengthening of utilities, telecommunications and health sectors and negative dynamics on the part of raw materials, industry and consumer services sectors.
At the close on the New York Stock Exchange, Dow Jones rose 0.24%, reaching historic highs, S&P 500 rose 0.12%, and NASDAQ Composite Index fell 0.38%.
The leaders of growth among Dow Jones index components were the shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), which rose 2.20 p. (1.84%), to 121.72. Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) shares increased by 0.48 p. (1.43%), to 34.07. Shares of Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) rose 0.68 p. (1.37%), to 50.35.
The worst performers were the shares of Caterpillar Inc (NYSE: CAT), the price of which has fallen by 2.62 p. (2.67%), to 95.58. Shares of Nike Inc (NYSE: NKE) fell 0.24 p. (0.41%) to 58.00, and General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) decreased in price by 0.12 p. (0.41%) to 29.97.
S&P 500 leaders were the shares of First Solar Inc (NASDAQ: FSLR), which rose 11.05% to reach 37.28, HP Inc (NYSE: HPQ), which gained 8.83% to 17.63, and shares of Transocean Ltd (NYSE: RIG), which rose 7.19%, ending the session at around 14.23.
The worst performers were the shares of L Brands Inc (NYSE: LB), which fell in price by 14.97% to close at 49.43, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), down 9.45% to 100.29, and United Rentals Inc (NYSE: URI), down 5.58% to 120.91.
The leaders of growth among NASDAQ Composite index components were the shares of Nova Lifestyle I (NASDAQ: NVFY), which rose 41.44% to reach 2.560, Pernix Therapeutics Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: PTX), which gained 21.13% to 3.331, and shares of FlexShopper Inc (NASDAQ: FPAY), which increased by 17.76% and closed the session at around 5.040000.
The worst results came from the shares of Ocean Rig UDW Inc (NASDAQ: ORIG), which fell in price by 24.40% to close at 0.82. Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: CYCC) lost 21.88% and to 4.2500 and VisionChina Media Inc (NASDAQ: VISN) lost 17.73% to 2.871.
On the New York Stock Exchange, the number of advancing securities (1702) exceeded the number closed in the red (1421), and the quotes of 82 shares remained virtually unchanged. On the NASDAQ stock market, the shares of 1540 companies fell, 942 rose, and 98 remained at the previous close.
Meanwhile, EUR/USD pair rose 0.23% to 1.0580, and USD/JPY fell 0.55%, reaching 112.69.
The USD Index fell 0.32% to 100.99.