U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday, the Dow hit a two and a half high, and with the first time since 2008, approaching the 12,000 point mark. Investors this week will announce earnings and Obama optimistic State of the Union is expected to promote the stock market higher.
EST at 16:00 on January 24 (Beijing time at 5:00 on January 25), the Dow Jones industrial average rose 108.68 points to close at 11,980.52 points, or 0.92%; the Nasdaq composite index rose 28.01 points, to close at 2,717.55 points, or 1.04%; Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 7.49 points to close at 1,290.84 points, or 0.58%.
Monday's trading session the Dow rose to its highest at 11,982.94 points, hitting a 2-year and a half high.
Dow 30 stocks Intel (INTC) closed up, the chip maker announced a 15% dividend increase and stock repurchase plan approved by the size of its increase of 100 billion U.S. dollars.
Dow component, fast-food giant McDonald's (MCD) closed slightly higher. The company announced fourth-quarter net profit rose 2.1%, in line with market expectations. But investors at the end of this company same-store sales growth was slowing down. McDonald's December same-store sales increase of 2.6%, only about half of the increase in the previous two months.
Some investors believe the market rally on Monday, investors may be due to recent stock market declines are not much comfort.
Background of generally rising stock market on Monday is one of Barack Obama on Tuesday asked Congress State of the Union. According to informed sources, is expected to Barack Obama called on Congress in the State of the Union parties, "the common sacrifice (shared sacrifice)", urged the Republicans agreed to the terms of lowering corporate tax rates through a comprehensive reform of corporate tax bill.
Many large companies earnings exciting, market sentiment has become so passionate. GE announced last Friday, results in better than expected, shares in more than two years Monday for the first time breaking through the 20 U.S. dollars.