The stock markets in the United States ended the trading session today as investors shifted their focus to the positive aspect of the economy. Data from Bloomberg showed that investors are returning their investments to U.S. equities after pulling back $35.8 billion from equity exchange-traded funds during the first six weeks this year.
In a telephone interview, Mark Freeman, chief investment officer at Westwood Holdings Group told the media agency, “We’re just seeing a shift in mentality. The market is really willing to focus on the positives and dismiss negatives. In that environment, the market tends to drift higher.”
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE:BRK.A) (NYSE:BRK.B) warned people against buying and selling equities frequently, and recommended that they should treat their stockholdings like real estate investments and focus on potential long-term profits instead of short-term price changes.
The Fortune magazine published an excerpt of his annual letter, which reads, “Those people who can sit quietly for decades when they own a farm or apartment house too often become frenetic when they are exposed to a stream of stock quotations. For these investors, liquidity is transformed from the unqualified benefit it should be to a curse.”
U.S. Markets
- Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)- 16,209.13 (+0.66%)
- S&P 500- 1,847.71 (+0.62%)
- NASDAQ- 4,292.97 (+0.69%)
- Russell 2000- 1,175.73 (+0.95%)
European Markets
- EURO STOXX 50 Price EUR- 3,157.31 (+0.82%)
- FTSE 100 Index- 6,865.86 (+0.41%)
- Deutsche Borse AG German Stock Index DAX- 9,708.94 (+0.54%)
Asia Pacific Markets
- Nikkei 225- 14,837.68 (-0.19%)
- Hong Kong Hang Seng Index- 22,388.56 (-0.80%)
- Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index- 2,214.51 (-2.20%)
Stocks in Focus
The stock price eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) rose 3.13% to $56.30 per share after activist investor Carl Icahn reiterated his call to the management and board of the e-commerce company for a non-binding vote to separate is PayPal business. eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) CEO John Donahoe previously rejected Icahn’s demand.
Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) gained 10.57% to $113.69 per share after the United States government reduced its payment for health insurers participating in the the program for elderly Americans. The payment reduction is approximately 3.55% next year. Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) anticipated a cut of around 6% to 7%.
The shares of Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc (NASDAQ:JOSB) climbed 9% to $60.04 per share after its rival, The Men’s Wearhouse, inc (NYSE:MW) raised its acquisition offer by 10% to $63.50 per share. The offer will increase to $65 per share of Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc (NASDAQ:JOSB) allow Men’s Wearhouse to conduct limited due diligence and end its deal with Eddie Bauer.
