The Dow is 3-for-3 in June, with a third consecutive day of gains triggered by more data suggesting that the deepest depths of America's economic trench are behind it.
ADP reported that private payrolls declined by 2.76 million in May, which was significantly better than the 8.75 million expected. ISM's non-manufacturing activity index readout from May also improved -- to 45.4, from 41.8 in April -- suggesting that the services industry still is contracting, but at a slower rate.
That added more kindling to ongoing rallies in economically sensitive industries such as airline stocks. The U.S. Global Jets ETF (JETS) gained 7.3% Wednesday and has shot 30.0% higher over the past two weeks. The Dow, which cleared the 26K level with a 2.1% gain to 26,269, was led by the likes of Boeing (BA, +13.0%) and American Express (AXP, +6.4%).
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Investors can find positive momentum across the board. The S&P 500 closed 1.4% higher to 3,122.87. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.8% today to put it less than 2% away from record highs. Small-cap stocks are gaining steam, too, with the Russell 2000 improving by another 2.6% on Wednesday. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average has been the best of the major indices over the past two weeks, rallying a sharp 8.5% as economic indicators crawl out of the basement.
Investors who want to piggyback the mega-cap index's momo, however, should look at its components on a case-by-case basis. Here, we've broken down the entire Dow 30, from worst to first, based on how Wall Street collectively views these stocks. Read on for the full rankings, as well as what the pros have to say about why they're hot for, or hesitant about, each of these well-known blue chips.
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Stock Market Today: Stocks Rally Despite Rising Geopolitical TensionThe main indexes were mixed on Tuesday but closed well off their lows after an early flight to safety.
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What's at Stake for Alphabet as DOJ Eyes Google's ChromeAlphabet is higher Tuesday even as antitrust officials at the DOJ support forcing Google to sell its popular web browser. Here's what you need to know.
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Why Is Warren Buffett Selling So Much Stock?Berkshire Hathaway is dumping equities, hoarding cash and making market participants nervous.
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Fed Cuts Rates Again: What the Experts Are SayingFederal Reserve The central bank continued to ease, but a new administration in Washington clouds the outlook for future policy moves.
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If You'd Put $1,000 Into Google Stock 20 Years Ago, Here's What You'd Have TodayGoogle parent Alphabet has been a market-beating machine for ages.
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Stock Market Today: Stocks Pause but Nvidia Hits New All-Time HighsThe major equity indexes were mostly mixed on Monday, but Nvidia hit yet another new all-time high.
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Stock Market Today: UnitedHealth Selloff Drags on DowWhile the main indexes ended in the red, Walgreens Boots Alliance had its best day since 2008.
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Boeing Looks to Raise Up to $25 Billion as Cash Woes SwirlBoeing stock is higher Tuesday after the aerospace giant filed to raise as much as $25 billion and entered a credit agreement worth $10 billion.
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Why Boeing Is Considering a Potential $10 Billion Stock Sale
Boeing is reportedly considering issuing stock to shore up its cash reserves. Here's what you need to know.
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Fed Goes Big With First Rate Cut: What the Experts Are Saying
Federal Reserve A slowing labor market prompted the Fed to start with a jumbo-sized reduction to borrowing costs.
