Stocks turned largely decrease Wednesday and the S&P 500 logged a second day of declines.

The Dow ended a tick above the flat line whereas each the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended decrease after rising to achieve record highs shortly after market open. Nevertheless, all three main indexes have carried out strongly for February so far, as has the small-cap Russell 2000, which reached its personal record excessive earlier than turning barely decrease.

Corporations that reported quarterly ends in the final day largely topped expectations, including to the pile of estimates-topping experiences for final quarter.

Lyft’s inventory (LYFT) surged greater than 8% after the corporate mentioned it could possibly be worthwhile as quickly because the third quarter this yr, or a full quarter forward of earlier estimates, due to rigorous cost-cutting measures. Shares of Twitter (TWTR) jumped 9% after the corporate’s gross sales grew greater than anticipated and its revenue beat estimates, although it warned that person development will doubtless sluggish in 2021 after a pandemic-era increase.

Up to now, corporations comprising greater than three-quarters of the S&P 500’s market capitalization have reported fourth-quarter outcomes. In combination, these outcomes have topped expectations by almost 17%, and 80% of corporations beat their very own projections, in response to an evaluation by Credit score Suisse’s Jonathan Golub.

However even amid robust earnings and supportive financial and financial coverage, some strategists have begun to debate whether or not the latest leg increased in markets will be sustained within the very near-term as sentiment begins to get frothy.

“We’ve seen a really robust part of what I’d name quick markets: A powerful rally the final six months in threat property throughout the board,” Joseph Little, HSBC International Asset Administration international chief strategist, advised Yahoo Finance. “And what which means in sensible phrases for traders is that much more is now discounted. And the story round restoration, round sooner financial enhancements, across the vaccines is now, at this level, well-known to traders and to different market contributors. And that poses the query of what might occur to markets subsequent.”

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“My suspicion is that we’re at some extent now the place, as extra is discounted, it turns into tougher and tougher for the information to actually help the market additional and additional. And that creates what I name a hypersensitivity,” he added. “It means markets are relatively susceptible if the information move turns into slightly bit harder, if the information move begins to disappoint. I’d nonetheless be optimistic as we glance out over a six month view. But it surely might imply that after the run that we’ve seen, we’re in line for a part of possibly a bit extra consolidation.”

Others, nonetheless, have remained extra upbeat.

“It’s clear that there’s lots of optimism on the market, however I’d argue that there are good causes to be optimistic. Take into account that simply six or eight months in the past, there was an expectation that it might take for much longer, if in any respect, to develop a vaccine that protects in opposition to COVID-19,” Kristina Hooper, Invesco chief international market strategist, advised Yahoo Finance. “The truth that we have now efficient vaccines, extraordinarily efficient vaccines that at the moment are being distributed means that there’s a mild on the finish of this tunnel and it’s a vibrant mild, therefore lots of optimism. Particularly given we have now a really accommodative Fed, and we even have a good quantity of fiscal stimulus and probably extra coming.”

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4:03 p.m. ET: Stocks finish combined after reaching record intraday highs; S&P 500 declines for back-to-back periods

Right here have been the principle strikes in markets as of 4:03 p.m. ET:

• S&P 500 (^GSPC): -1.33 (-0.03%) to three,909.90

• Dow (^DJI): +62.57 (+0.20%) to 31,438.40

• Nasdaq (^IXIC): -35.16 (-0.25%) to 13,972.53

• Crude (CL=F): +$0.14 (+0.24%) to $58.50 a barrel

• Gold (GC=F): +$4.10 (+0.22%) to $1,841.60 per ounce

• 10-year Treasury (^TNX): -2.Four bps to yield 1.1330%

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2:17 p.m. ET: Fed Chair Powell commits to conserving financial coverage simple till these hardest-hit by pandemic get better

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell mentioned throughout a speech Wednesday that the central financial institution would concentrate on attaining most employment within the financial restoration from the coronavirus pandemic, and because of this, wouldn’t tweak financial coverage or elevate charges till a broad-based rebound takes place.

“Most employment is a broad and inclusive aim. This transformation displays our appreciation for the advantages of a powerful labor market, notably for a lot of in low- and moderate-income communities,” Powell mentioned in ready remarks Wednesday. “We won’t tighten financial coverage solely in response to a powerful labor market.”

Powell additionally reiterated that bolstering the U.S. financial system and labor power participation would require each financial and financial stimulus.

“Given the quantity of people that have misplaced their jobs and the probability that some will battle to search out work within the post-pandemic financial system, attaining and sustaining most employment would require greater than supportive financial coverage,” he mentioned. “It is going to require a society-wide dedication, with contributions from throughout authorities and the personal sector.”

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12:39 p.m. ET: Stocks maintain decrease

Right here’s the place markets have been buying and selling Wednesday afternoon:

• S&P 500 (^GSPC): -10.22 factors (-0.26%) to three,901.01

• Dow (^DJI): -37.05 factors (-0.12%) to 31,338.78

• Nasdaq (^IXIC): -61.63 factors (-0.44%) to 13,946.77

• Crude (CL=F): +$0.35 (+0.6%) to $58.71 a barrel

• Gold (GC=F): +$4.10 (+0.22%) to $1,841.60 per ounce

• 10-year Treasury (^TNX): -2.1 bps to yield 1.136%

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11:52 a.m. ET: Analysts get extra bullish on Twitter after robust 4Q promoting gross sales beat, sparking wave of value goal revisions

Wall Avenue corporations are getting extra bullish on Twitter (TWTR) after the corporate posted a lot stronger than anticipated fourth-quarter gross sales, in a testomony to the broader pick-up in internet advertising in addition to the success of the corporate’s efforts to revamp its promoting merchandise. Promoting income surged 31% to $1.15 billion in the course of the fourth quarter, accelerating from the 15% advert gross sales development within the prior quarter. Nevertheless, the corporate did warn its person development would doubtless sluggish this yr.

Right here’s what some analysts mentioned about Twitter’s outcomes:

• JPMorgan’s Doug Anmuth (value goal raised to $77 from $65): “On the heels of our December improve, TWTR stays one in all our high 5 inventory picks in 2021 (alongside w/GOOGL, FB, PTON, LYFT) and we consider our bull case is enjoying out largely as anticipated—sharp advert restoration, continued stable engagement, advert product prioritization & innovation, underlying activist efforts serving to to enhance operational self-discipline, and the upcoming February 25 Analyst Day as an extra potential catalyst for shares.”

• Cowen’s John Blackledge (value goal raised to $58 from $48): “Twitter is a well-liked social platform, with rising monetization and working earnings, though aggressive issues and valuation drive our Market Carry out view. Twitter’s person development has constantly been within the low double digits, and we anticipate DAUs (EOP) to develop modestly by 2026.”

• MKM Companions (value goal raised to $73 from $60): “We consider TWTR’s innovation engine has lastly began to crank up new options and merchandise, and consider that there are a number of low-hanging fruits for Twitter to draw self-service advert {dollars}.”

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9:31 a.m. ET: Stocks open increased

Right here’s the place markets have been buying and selling shortly after market open:

• S&P 500 (^GSPC): +18.25 factors (+0.47%) to three,923.75

• Dow (^DJI): +122 factors (+0.39%) to 31,400.00

• Nasdaq (^IXIC): +62 factors (+0.45%) to 13,742.25

• Crude (CL=F): +$0.03 (+0.05%) to $58.39 a barrel

• Gold (GC=F): +$15.60 (+0.85%) to $1,853.10 per ounce

• 10-year Treasury (^TNX): -0.Three bps to yield 1.1570%

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9:03 a.m. ET: Common Motors tops 4Q estimates, however says 2021 earnings can be hit by chip shortages

Common Motors (GM) reported fourth-quarter earnings and income that topped expectations, although the car-maker mentioned its revenue can be hit within the present fiscal yr as a result of chip shortages.

Adjusted earnings have been $1.93 per share on income of $37.52 billion, with each metrics higher than the $1.57 per share on income of $35.88 billion anticipated.

Chip shortages, which have rattled different corporations within the auto trade as properly, will minimize working revenue by between $1.5 billion to $2.Zero billion in 2021, GM added, and also will influence manufacturing and money move. Earlier this month, GM already introduced it had prolonged a halt on manufacturing at three North American vegetation as a result of chip shortages.

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8:40 a.m. ET: Client costs elevated mildly in January as inflation remained tame

A core measure of shopper value adjustments elevated lower than anticipated in January, in response to the Labor Division’s month-to-month report Wednesday, as inflationary developments remained tame in the course of the ongoing pandemic.

The headline shopper value index (CPI) rose 0.3% in January over December, matching estimates, in response to Bloomberg consensus knowledge. Nevertheless, excluding extra unstable meals and vitality costs, the CPI was unchanged, following an unchanged studying in December as properly.

Over final yr, CPI excluding meals and vitality costs rose 1.4%, decelerating from December’s 1.6% enhance and coming in beneath estimates for rise a 1.5%.

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7:24 a.m. ET: Mortgage functions dropped 4.1% final week as rates of interest hit the very best degree since November

Mortgage functions dropped by 4.1% in the course of the week ending February 5 following a bounce of greater than 8% in the course of the prior interval, in response to the Mortgage Bankers’ Affiliation’s weekly report. The drop got here as rates of interest began to creep increased, pressuring demand, although total housing market exercise remained sharply increased in comparison with a yr in the past.

Beneath the headline mortgage utility index, refinances fell by 4% from every week earlier, however remained 46% increased than the identical week in 2020. Purchases fell by 5% on a seasonally adjusted foundation. Unadjusted, nonetheless, purchases have been up 2% week-on-week and have been 17% increased than the year-ago interval.

“Mortgage charges have elevated in 4 of the primary six weeks of 2021, with jumbo charges being the one mortgage kind that noticed a decline final week. Regardless of some weekly volatility, Treasury charges have been pushed increased by expectations of sooner financial development because the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues,” Joel Kan, MBA’s affiliate vp of financial and trade forecasting, mentioned in a press release.

“With the 30-year fastened price growing to 2.96%– a excessive not seen since final November – refinances declined, and their share of whole functions dipped to the bottom degree in three months,” he added. “Authorities refinance functions did buck the development and enhance, and total exercise was nonetheless 46% increased than a yr in the past. Demand for refinances continues to be very robust this winter.”

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7:17 a.m. ET Wednesday: Inventory futures prolong gains in a single day, pointing to a better open

Right here’s the place markets have been buying and selling, as of seven:17 a.m. ET Wednesday morning:

• S&P 500 futures (ES=F): 3,917.75, up 12.25 factors or 0.31%

• Dow futures (YM=F): 31,360.00, up 82 factors or 0.26%

• Nasdaq futures (NQ=F): 13,726.5, up 46.25 factors or 0.34%

• Crude (CL=F): +$0.27 (+0.46%) to $58.63 a barrel

• Gold (GC=F): +$3.20 (+0.17%) to $1,840.70 per ounce

• 10-year Treasury (^TNX): +0.Eight bps to yield 1.165%

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6:09 p.m. ET Tuesday: Inventory futures maintain close to record ranges

Right here’s the place markets have been buying and selling Tuesday night as in a single day buying and selling kicked off:

• S&P 500 futures (ES=F): 3,911.00, up 5.5 factors or 0.14%

• Dow futures (YM=F): 31,312.00, up 34 factors or 0.11%

• Nasdaq futures (NQ=F): 13,694.50, up 14.25 factors or 0.1%

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Emily McCormick is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Comply with her on Twitter: @emily_mcck

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