Investors are awaiting the release of US unemployment data, which is scheduled to be published on Friday. Analysts believe that the March unemployment rate remained at the February level of 3.6%, and the number of employed in non-agricultural sectors of the economy increased by 239,000. The statistics may hint at further actions by the US Federal Reserve System.
At the close of the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones appreciated by 0.01%, the S&P 500 index rose by 0.36%, and the NASDAQ Composite index grew by 0.76%.
Among the leaders in growth for the Dow Jones components at the end of today's trading were shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), which rose by 7.26 points (2.55%), closing at 291.60. Quotes for Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT) increased by 1.13 points (0.76%), finishing the trading session at 150.80. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) shares rose in price by 3.58 points (0.70%), closing at 512.81.
The least gainers were shares of Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:CAT), which fell by 4.36 points (2.04%), closing the session at 209.17. Shares of Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) rose by 2.76 points (1.41%), closing at 192.55, and American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) dropped in price by 2.25 points (1.40%) and finished trading at 158.83.
The leaders in growth among the S&P 500 components at the end of today's trading were shares of Catalent Inc (NYSE:CTLT), which appreciated by 5.40% to 64.95, First Republic Bank (NYSE:FRC), which gained 4.39%, closing at 14.03, and shares of Signature Bank (OTC:SBNY), which increased by 4.28%, closing the session at 0.17.
The least gainers were shares of SVB Financial Group (OTC:SIVBQ), which fell in price by 12.09%, closing at 0.80. Shares of The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) lost 5.66% and finished the session at 43.67. Quotes for FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) dropped in price by 4.07% to 116.92.
The leaders in growth among the NASDAQ Composite components at the end of today's trading were shares of GlucoTrack Inc (NASDAQ:GCTK), which appreciated by 221.71% to 1.19, Liquid Media Group Ltd (NASDAQ:YVR), which gained 87.42%, closing at 0.26, and shares of Better Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:BTTX), which increased by 35.59%, finishing the session at 1.22.
The least gainers were shares of Jowell Global Ltd. (NASDAQ:JWEL), which fell in price by 28.40%, closing at 0.30. Shares of Apollomics Inc (NASDAQ:APLM) lost 25.26% and finished the session at 12.19. Quotes for MDJM Ltd (NASDAQ:MDJH) dropped in price by 18.78% to 1.47.
On the New York Stock Exchange, the number of appreciating shares (1,578) exceeded the number of those closing in the negative (1,354), and the quotes for 133 stocks remained virtually unchanged. On the NASDAQ stock exchange, shares of 2,058 companies appreciated, 1,546 declined, and 205 remained at the level of the previous closing.
The CBOE Volatility Index, which is based on options trading indicators for the S&P 500, fell by 3.56% to 18.40, reaching a new monthly low.
Futures on gold for June delivery lost 0.63%, or 12.85, reaching a mark of $2.00 per troy ounce. As for other commodities, prices for WTI oil futures for May delivery fell by 0.21%, or 0.17, to $80.44 per barrel. Futures for Brent oil for June delivery dropped by 0.14%, or 0.12, to $84.87 per barrel.
Meanwhile, in the Forex market, the EUR/USD pair remained virtually unchanged, increasing by 0.18% to 1.09, while quotes for USD/JPY rose by 0.38%, reaching a mark of 131.82.
Futures on the USD index grew by 0.04% to 101.58.
