(Reuters)
The S&P 500 briefly touched the 6,000 mark and was set to log its best week this year as a sweeping Trump victory powered bets of a business-friendly agenda and an expected interest-rate cut eased pressure on the US economy.
Both the S&P 500 and the Dow are set for their best week since last November, while the Nasdaq is on track for its best in two months and second-best week in 2024.
Expectations of lower corporate taxes and looser regulations under Republican Donald Trump helped the benchmark index and the Dow notch intraday record highs for the third straight session.
The upbeat sentiment got a boost from the Federal Reserve cutting the benchmark rate by 25 basis points on Thursday, with Chair Jerome Powell saying that the election outcome would not have a "near-term" impact on the monetary policy.
The small-cap Russell 2000 rose 0.4 percent on the day, also set for its best week in four years.
"Most people prior to the election de-risked, they cut equity exposure. After the election as the market started to rally, people came back in ... that's what's driven us toward 6,000," said Jim Caron, CIO, cross-asset solutions at Morgan Stanley Investment Management.
Traders, however, have already cut expectations for rate cuts next year and bond yields have jumped to multi-month highs on worries of complications to the Fed's monetary easing path from Trump's expansionary policies lifting inflation.
Powell said the central bank would begin estimating the impact on its twin goals of stable inflation and maximum employment when the new administration's proposals take shape.
At 12:58pm the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 277.48 points, or 0.63 percent, to 44,006.82, the S&P 500 gained 24.83 points, or 0.42 percent, to 5,997.93, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 2.37 points, or 0.01 percent, to 19,271.83.
Rate-sensitive technology stocks eased 0.4 percent, while materials was the biggest decliner. However, the utilities and real estate sectors gained more than 1 percent each.
Shares of chipmaker Nvidia dipped 1.1 percent after the AI pioneer became the first in history to surpass a $3.6 trillion in market value on Thursday.
Airbnb dropped 8.2 percent after missing third-quarter profit estimates, while Pinterest slumped 16 percent after a disappointing revenue forecast.
Investors are also keeping an eye on a likely "Red Sweep" as Republicans were set to keep their narrow lead in the House of Representatives after winning control of the Senate. That would make it easier for Trump to enact his legislative plans.