US benchmark equity indexes exhibited positive momentum as markets approached Friday's closing bell, fueled by a survey indicating that consumer sentiment has reached a six-month high in November. The Dow Jones Industrial Average appreciated by 0.7%, settling at 44,018.1, while the S&P 500 increased 0.4% to reach 5,996.2.
Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite remained relatively stable, registering a slight change at 19,271.9. Notably, the sectors that experienced the most significant advances were utilities and real estate, while materials, communication services, and technology faced declines. This month has marked the fourth consecutive rise in US consumer sentiment, achieving the highest level recorded in six months.
Furthermore, year-ahead inflation expectations have decreased to their lowest point since December 2020, according to preliminary findings from the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers. In the bond market, the US two-year yield saw an increase of 4.2 basis points, reaching 4.26%, while the 10-year yield experienced a modest decline, dropping 3.1 basis points to 4.31%. In commodity markets, West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices fell by 2.6%, settling at $70.47 per barrel..