US close: Stocks close mixed as investors digest raft of data

US markets on Wednesday had a mixed close ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, with the Dow Jones reaching a record high.

The DJIA closed 59 points higher, while the S&P 500 was up 1.78 points. The Nasdaq Composite was 5.67 points lower as markets digested a raft of data, including the minutes of the November Federal Open Market Committee meeting which revealed officials saw a stronger case for raising rates.

“Some participants noted that recent committee communications were consistent with an increase in the target range for the federal funds rate in the near term or argued that to preserve credibility, such an increase should occur at the next meeting,” the minutes stated.

Many officials said a rate rise could be appropriate “relatively soon" data permitting, it said.

Oil closed at almost $48 a barrel after as doubts grew over OPEC's ability to reach a deal on which producers will bear the brunt of planned production cuts.

Key in Wednesday´s data deluge was a 4.8% month-on-month jump in durable goods orders during October to reach $239.4bn.

Although the figures were somewhat distorted by a 94% surge in civilian aircraft orders, economists at Barclays Research saw signs for optimism in the data.

"Neither orders nor shipments have displayed a sustained upward movement that would indicate a near-term acceleration in equipment investment; however, this morning’s report could be the first sign of the firming we would need for our investment forecast to be realized. Within the detail of the report, we see broad-based strength," Barclays´s Rob Martin said.

The data saw 10-year US Treasury yields jump eight basis points to 2.40%, pushing the dollar higher by 1.56% to 112.78 against the Japanese yen.

The University of Michigan´s final reading on consumer confidence for November also revealed the extent to which Donald Trump was enjoying the so-called 'honeymoon' period with investors following his surprise election win.

The survey jumped from 87.2 at the end of October to 93.8 for November (consensus: 91.6), according to the final data for the month.

Pharma, Biotech stocks hit

Eli Lilly tumbled after the company said a late-stage trial of a treatment for dementia in patients with Alzheimer’s failed to meet its goal.

Shares in Juno Therapeutics fell sharply as the biopharmaceutical company said it has halted its Phase II clinical trial of the JCAR015 drug after two patients suffered cerebral edema earlier this week.

Shares in construction equipment maker Deere & Co were boosted on Wednesday after the company posted an impressive earnings beat in its fourth quarter report.

Net income attributable to Deere dropped to $285.3m, or 90 cents a share, in the fourth quarter ended in October from $351.2 million, or $1.08 a share from last year.

Dow Jones - Risers

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) $96.18 2.73%
American Express Co. (AXP) $72.87 1.62%
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) $50.23 1.50%
United Technologies Corp. (UTX) $108.11 1.09%
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) $70.81 1.01%
Unitedhealth Group Inc. (UNH) $153.54 0.84%
Travelers Company Inc. (TRV) $113.07 0.60%
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) $212.31 0.57%
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) $98.25 0.56%
General Electric Co. (GE) $31.34 0.51%

Dow Jones - Fallers

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) $60.39 -1.19%
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (DD) $70.34 -0.83%
Intel Corp. (INTC) $35.19 -0.83%
Nike Inc. (NKE) $51.34 -0.72%
Coca-Cola Co. (KO) $41.12 -0.60%
Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) $29.71 -0.60%
Apple Inc. (AAPL) $111.22 -0.51%
Visa Inc. (V) $79.57 -0.45%
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) $161.98 -0.42%
Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) $61.64 -0.10%

S&P 500 - Risers

Deere & Co. (DE) $102.17 11.04%
GameStop Corp. (GME) $26.05 8.09%
Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX) $16.21 7.21%
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (JEC) $61.69 4.00%
Southwestern Energy Co. (SWN) $11.50 3.98%
United Rentals Inc. (URI) $97.24 3.50%
Signet Jewelers Ltd (SIG) $93.86 3.38%
Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN) $101.32 3.28%
Range Resources Corp. (RRC) $36.78 3.20%
Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK) $6.64 3.11%

S&P 500 - Fallers

Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN) $34.31 -12.05%
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) $68.00 -10.51%
HP Inc (HPQ) $14.86 -6.77%
Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) $31.50 -5.12%
Biogen Inc (BIIB) $305.93 -3.83%
CenturyLink Inc. (CTL) $24.40 -3.33%
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (CTSH) $51.86 -2.48%
Amer Water Works (AWK) $72.49 -2.23%
Salesforce.Com Inc. (CRM) $73.95 -2.14%
Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ) $42.50 -2.07%

Nasdaq 100 - Risers

Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) $88.10 3.13%
Liberty Interactive Corporation QVC Group (QVCA) $22.13 2.64%
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) $79.35 2.06%
PACCAR Inc. (PCAR) $61.98 2.02%
Mattel Inc. (MAT) $32.02 1.78%
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALXN) $118.92 1.62%
Mylan Inc. (MYL) $36.85 1.46%
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. (ULTA) $262.02 1.40%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) $87.34 1.32%
Fiserv Inc. (FISV) $107.60 1.21%

Nasdaq 100 - Fallers

Biogen Inc (BIIB) $305.93 -3.83%
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (CTSH) $51.86 -2.48%
Liberty Global plc Series C (LBTYK) $31.25 -2.48%
Ctrip.Com International Ltd. Ads (CTRP) $40.99 -2.10%
Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ) $42.50 -2.07%
Liberty Global plc Series A (LBTYA) $32.31 -2.06%
Kraft Heinz Co. (KHC) $82.44 -1.96%
Sba Communications Corp. (SBAC) $100.49 -1.46%
Skyworks Solutions Inc. (SWKS) $78.31 -1.32%
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) $60.39 -1.19%