U.S. stock times rose Thursday as investors overcame political turmoil to focus on the place of hopes for higher government spending.
Dow Jones industrial average futures were up 0.2%, suggesting the blue stocks index could open the session with quiet gains after closing at a high on Wednesday. Contracts linked to the S&P 500 index ticked 0.3% higher.
Futures on the Nasdaq-100 Index gained 0.5%, suggesting that high-tech stocks could recoup some of their losses. The sector took a hit Wednesday as investors pushed into other stocks that are more dependent on economic growth.
Investor sentiment was boosted by the victory of Democrat Jon Ossoff in the second of two Senate run-over races, which were announced shortly after U.S. markets closed on Wednesday. Both seats in Georgia brought the Democrats in control of the Senate, raising expectations that there would be additional stimulus for the U.S. economy following the resignation of President Joe Biden.
A joint session of Congress early Thursday morning also confirmed that Mr. Biden lost President Trump, who promised an orderly transition of power.