New York (AFP)

The New York Stock Exchange indices concluded in the green on Thursday, led by the tech sector and a new S&P 500 record.

According to final results, the S&P, which represents the 500 largest American companies, notched its third record of the week at 4,097.16 points, advancing 0.42%.

The highly technological Nasdaq posted an increase of 1.03% to 13,829.31 points.

The Dow Jones advanced 0.17% to 33,503.57 points.

Despite a disappointing employment indicator, with weekly claims for unemployment benefits up surprisingly in the United States, investors have instead listened to the still accommodating comments of Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Fed.

During a discussion within the framework of the IMF meetings, the head of the American Central Bank once again insisted on the fact that the recovery was "incomplete".

He also added that the institution's purchases of treasury bills, to support the recovery and keep interest rates low, would continue until there is "substantial progress".

"It seems that this message has supported stocks but also bonds," said Karl Haeling, analyst for LBBW.

"The fear of a disorderly jump in bond yields has diminished and this is seen in the strong performance of tech stocks," added the analyst, who is very sensitive to interest rates.

Yields on 10-year US Treasuries fell to 1.62% from 1.67% the day before.

Investors also weighed the words of President Joe Biden who on Wednesday said he was flexible on the size of the infrastructure plan but also on the level of corporate taxation he wants to reform.

"I think that gives confidence in the idea that we will not see a corporate tax rate above 25%", assured Karl Haeling.

The corporate tax rate has fallen from 35% to 21% under the Trump administration and Democratic President Job Biden's plan is to raise it to 28% for now.

Among the big names in tech that drove the market higher, Apple and Tesla gained nearly 2%.

Netflix, which announced an agreement with Sony to broadcast new Spider Man movies in particular, advanced 1.39%.

Six of the eleven sectors of the S&P ended up, driven by that of information technology (+ 1.42%) while that of energy lagged behind (-1.36%).

The share of video game store chain GameStop, on a roller coaster since the beginning of the year, up in session finally lost 4.33% after the announcement of the next election of Ryan Cohen as president from the administration board.

The latter is the co-founder of the popular chewy pet product sales site and wants the chain of stores to expand its online presence.

In terms of regulation, the SEC has expressed concern about the possible dangers associated with SPACs, these financial instruments in vogue on Wall Street.

The SEC "continues to be vigilant about SPACs and the transparency of their objectives so that the public can make informed investment and voting decisions about these transactions," said the Stock Exchange Constable.

© 2021 AFP