Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV saw gains as market indicators improved. The actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) surged by 1.7%, reflecting investor confidence. US equity indexes advanced as the Nasdaq Composite achieved a new intraday record high, following November's inflation print, which indicated weakness in some persistent inflation areas.
In the energy sector, iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) rose by 0.2%, while Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) experienced a modest increase of less than 0.1%. Technology sector funds showed positive trends as well, with Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) gaining 1.6%. Additionally, iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) also noted increases.
The semiconductor sector was particularly strong, with SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) rising 2.4% and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) adding 2.2%. In the financial sector, Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) rose by 0.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) increased by 0.4%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), declined by 0.3%.
Commodity markets were buoyed by a 2.1% increase in crude oil prices, with the United States Oil Fund (USO) adding 2.3%. Natural gas also saw a significant gain of 6.5%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) climbed 5.6%. In precious metals, gold prices were up by 1.4% on the Comex, with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) increasing by 1%.
Silver prices advanced by 0.7%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) climbed by 0.4%. In consumer sectors, Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) saw a slight uptick of 0.1%, while Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) climbed 0.3%; however, iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) fell by 0.3%. The consumer discretionary sector performed well, with Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) gaining 1.5%.
The retail fund VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) both advanced. In health care, Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) was down 1.1%, while iShares US Healthcare (IYH) rose, and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) decreased. The iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (IBB) lost less than 0.1%.
In industrials, Select Sector SPDR-Industrial (XLI) increased by 0.1%, with Vanguard Industrials (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) also trending higher. The market shows resilience as sectors adapt to economic signals..