The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed slightly higher on Wednesday, led by tech shares, as traders kept an eye on interest rates, the political uncertainty coming out of Washington and a still raging pandemic.

The broader market index gained 0.2% to end the day at 3,809.84.

Wednesday’s moves came as U.S. Treasury rates eased from their March highs. The benchmark 10-year note yield fell more than 5 basis points to 1.092%. The 30-year bond yield also fell on Wednesday to 1.823%. On Tuesday, the benchmark rate traded as high as 1.187%.

Despite this decline, the 10-year rate remains more than 15 basis points above its 2020 close of 0.92%.

Given the rise in rates this year, Credit Suisse recommended that investors favor pro-cyclical sectors, including financials and energy. Rising rates could hurt growth stocks, however, which have been the market stalwarts during the pandemic.

Expectations for additional fiscal stimulus is one of the reasons behind the steady move higher in yields. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to release details on his economic plan on Thursday.

Plan A : Short if market failed to support above 3805. Targets are 3780, 3752 and 3722.

Plan B : Long only if market supported firm above 3805. Targets are 3821, 3838 and 3850.
 

U.S. stock futures were mixed early Thursday morning as traders kept an eye on interest rates and lingering turmoil in Washington.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.4% to 13,128.95. Intel jumped nearly 7% on news that CEO Bob Swan would step down, effective Feb. 15. Other tech-related names also caught a bid, with Netflix and Amazon popping 2.7% and 1.4%, respectively. Apple also closed higher by more than 1%.

Wednesday’s gains for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq came after Intel rallied nearly 7% to lead tech stocks higher. They also followed U.S. interest rates easing from their highest levels since March 2020.

Rates have been rising this year amid the prospects of increased U.S. fiscal stimulus after the Democrats secured majorities in both the House and Senate. Inflation expectations have also been picking up recently.

Plan A : Short if market failed to support above 12947. Targets are 12907, 12865 and 12822.

Plan B : Long if market failed to support above 12947. Targets are 12978, 13010 and 13041.

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Plan A : Remain buy as long as oil price stays firm above 52.8. Targets are 53.6 and 54.2

Plan B : Consider short if oil price fails to hold above 52.8. Targets are 51.5 and 50.3

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