US stocks rebounded from yesterday's losses as investors picked up battered financials and IBM's quarterly results boosted tech shares. The market also seemed to welcome the prospect of Timothy Geithner becoming Treasury Secretary, although this did cause a brief sell off as he faced tough questioning at his confirmation hearing before a Senate committee, who are due to vote on Geithner's nomination on Thursday.
The Dow Jones rose 279.01 points to close at 8,228.10, the S&P 500 gained 35.02 points to end at 840.24. The Nasdaq climbed 66.21 points to finish at 1,507.07.
IBM gave the biggest lift to the Dow following its quarterly results after the bell on Tuesday. The world's top technology services company beat analysts expectations for quarterly profit and its 2009 outlook. Shares jumped almost 12%, while lifting the technology sector as a whole. Apple may give the technology sector a further boost today after it reported quarterly figures after the bell. The iPod maker had already gained 5.9% on expectations of good results during normal hours. After hours though shares rallied a further 10%, with first quarter sales and profit topping estimates. Furthermore, Intel added 1% in extended trade, but this was due to an announcement that it is scaling back its US operations in a restructuring move that could affect up to 6,000 jobs.
The financial sector outperformed the bulk of the market following positive news from several companies. Northern Trust surprised investors following the big loss reported from State Street the previous day. The financial services company reported net income that doubled, sending shares 31% higher. PNC Financial Services rallied 37% after it projected lower loan losses from its purchase of National City Corp. While Bank of America surged 31% higher after Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis bought 200,000 common shares in the company.
On the downside, Wal-Mart Stores Inc lost 2.8% after Credit Suisse downgraded the stock to "neutral". The world's largest retailer caused the heaviest weight on the Dow as a result.
US light crude oil for March delivery climbed $2.71 to $43.55 a barrel. COMEX gold for February delivery slipped $5.10 to $850.10 an ounce. Treasury prices sank, raising the yield on the 10 year note to 2.52% from 2.33%.
The Nikkei gained 150.1 points to 8,051.74 this morning, reversing an earlier loss, as optimism central bank and government measures will ease financial turmoil. The Bank of Japan said it will buy corporate bonds from financial institutions and offer loans in exchange for debt issued by real estate investment funds in an attempt to unlock credit markets.
The Hang Seng rose 74.36 points to close at 12,657.9 this morning. Investors were buoyed by speculation that US President Barack Obama will soon announce a plan to shore up banks and ease the global financial crisis.
The FTSE 100 is currently 77.98 points higher at 4,137.86. Financials take the top spots on the risers board as investors continue to pick up stocks in the battered sector. RBS climbs 20% while Lloyds adds 18.7%. Mining companies also make headway, with Xstrata lifted 9% following news that it will be allowed to expand its controversial McArthur River lead and zinc project in northern Australia. On the downside, BT slides 12% following weak third quarter results and Morrisons loses almost 5% with investors disappointed that it hasn't raised its outlook following a strong Christmas period.