S&P 500 hits new record as investors weigh strong GDP data and mega-cap tech earnings

US stocks traded higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 notching a new record as data showed the US economy near full recovery, boosted by a trifecta of the stimulus spending, vaccine rollouts, and a widening reopening.

The country’s first-quarter gross domestic product grew at an annualized rate of 6.4%, the Commerce Department announced on Thursday.

The Federal Open Market Committee concluded its two-day April meeting Wednesday, announcing it would maintain its ultra-accommodative policy stance.

Net income grew 94% to $9.5 billion, or $3.30 per share – up from $4.9 billion, or $1.71 per share, a year ago.

The Cupertino, California-based company reported a record non-holiday quarter driven by strong iPhone 12 sales, with revenue growing 54% year-over-year.

Bitcoin continues to trend below the $60,000-level after peaking to its record high in mid-April but Anthony Scaramucci’s SkyBridge Partners said investors should hold on and not sweat over the wild volatility.

Oil markets ignored a rise in official US Crude Inventories, rallying even after the dovish FOMC meeting.

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