Better-than-expected reports keep stocks buoyant

U.S. stock indexes closed mostly higher Thursday after a late stumble pulled the S&P 500 just short of its third straight all-time high.

The benchmark index slipped 0.06% after spending much of the day higher. It’s on track for its second weekly gain. The Nasdaq composite set a record high for the second straight day. Treasury yields mostly declined, a reversal from earlier in the week.

The S& P 500 slipped 2.29 points to 3,666.72. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 85.73 points, or 0.29%, to 29,969.52. The Nasdaq composite added 27.82 points, or 0.23%, to 12,377.18. Small company stocks made out better than the broader market. The Russell 2000 index picked up 10.67 points, or 0.6%, to 1,848.70.

A couple of reports on the economy that were better than expected helped support stocks. One showed that growth in the U.S. services sector, including health care and retail, was slightly stronger last month than economists expected. A separate report said fewer U.S. workers filed for unemployment benefits last week than forecast, though economists cautioned the number may have been distorted by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Investors have also been encouraged this week by signs that Democrats and Republicans in Washington may get past their partisanship to reach a deal to provide more financial support for the economy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke Thursday, a day after Pelosi signaled a willingness to make major concessions in search of a coronavirus rescue package. President- elect Joe Biden urged Congress on Wednesday to pass a relief bill now, with more aid to come next year.

“There’s a lot of optimism being built into the market right now,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA. “Investors are sort of keeping their fingers crossed that we come up with a stimulus package, no matter the size.”

Momentum across markets has slowed after the S&P 500 surged 10.8% last month on hopes that one or more coronavirus vaccines will get the global economy closer to normal next year. The burst of optimism lifted stocks of travel companies, banks and smaller businesses in particular, after they were among the most harshly punished during the pandemic.

“It’s pretty clear that investors are looking at some of those areas that would benefit from a more complete reopening,” said David Lefkowitz, head of Americas equities at UBS Global Wealth Management.

Now that stock indexes are back at all- time highs, worries about the still-raging pandemic are making further big gains more difficult. Governments around the world are considering the approval of several coronavirus vaccines, and a U.S. rollout could begin this month if regulators give their approval. Britain has already approved emergency use of a covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Concerns about the potential economic fallout from more restrictions on businesses has intensified the pressure on Washington to deliver more aid. Still, Democrats and Republicans have been arguing for months without much progress.

Ralph Lauren led the gainers in the S&P 500 Thursday, vaulting 8.7%. Several travelrelated companies also finished near the top of the leaderboard, clawing back more of their precipitous losses from earlier in the pandemic. American Airlines Group rose 8.3%, Norwegian Cruise line gained 8.6%, and United Airlines climbed 6.8%. All three, though, remain more than 40% lower for 2020.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury dipped to 0.91% from 0.94% late Wednesday.