(Reuters) – U.S. stock index times rose Thursday ahead of a shortened trading session in hopes of a gradual economic recovery, while Alibaba fell after China launched a confidence test for the e-giant exchange.
The S&P 500 and the Dow ended higher on Wednesday as investors plunged into volatile stocks that are reaping the biggest gains at the time of recovery, spurred by the release of the COVID-19 vaccine and accept the coronavirus relief bill.
The so-called Nasdaq pressure was under tech control, which ended lower.
Investors were also chewing reports that Britain and the European Union were on the verge of hitting a narrow Brexit trade deal.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Wednesday blocked a bipartisan defense policy bill and raised expectations that the United States could oppose government closure due to a pandemic.
Alibaba Group fell 7.3% after China launched an antitrust study into the main trade as part of an accelerated decline in dysfunctional behavior.
At 6:37 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis went up 50 points, or 0.17%, S&P 500 e-minis went up 7.75 points, or 0.21%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis went up 17.75 points, or 0.14%.
Markets close at 1:00 pm ET on Thursday and will be closed for the Christmas holidays on Friday.
Energy stocks, including Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., rose slightly in pre-sale trading, following strength in the crude market as a decline in U.S. stocks and suggestions of a Brexit deal which was nearby as a basis for oil prices. [O/R]
Reporting by Devik Jain in Bengaluru; Edited by Sriraj Kalluvila