New York (AFP)
The New York Stock Exchange took its major indices to new highs on Thursday, the prospect of a Sino-US trade deal and a decision by the Chinese central bank encouraging investors' optimism about global growth.
Its flagship index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, gained 1.16% to finish at 28,868.80 points.
The highly technological Nasdaq took 1.33% to finish at 9,092.19 points and the broad S&P 500 index appreciated by 0.84% to close at 3,257.85 points.
Wall Street thus continues its momentum after a robust year, galvanized by accommodating central banks, the hope of a easing of trade tensions and solid economic indicators: in 2019, the Dow Jones appreciated by 22%, the S&P 500 29% and Nasdaq 35%.
Returning from a holiday, market participants on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Chinese Central Bank to further lower the reserve requirement rate imposed on banks, a measure intended to free up around $ 114 billion to stimulate loans and revive the economy.
The announcement reinforced the idea that central banks around the world remain largely ready to support growth.
Associated with the signature expected on January 15 at the White House of a partial trade agreement between Washington and Beijing, it also fueled the hope of seeing the Chinese economy quickly recover its momentum.
"If the Chinese economy stabilizes and in addition it has ample liquidity, this is good news for emerging countries, and more broadly for the world economy," notes Karl Haeling of LBBW.
And even if the compromise recently concluded by Washington and Beijing is only partial, "for the time being it removes the idea that new taxes may be imposed, which could encourage companies to boost their stocks," he added. -he.
On the bond market, the 10-year rate on the American debt fell around 20:20 GMT to 1.875% against 1.918% Tuesday at the close.
© 2020 AFP