US Markets

Stocks post slight gains after Yellen comments; Brexit vote eyed

Yellen: Economy has made further progress
VIDEO1:5701:57
Yellen: Economy has made further progress

U.S. stocks closed mildly higher Tuesday, amid declines in oil prices, as investors eyed the latest Brexit polls and digested remarks from the Fed chair. All three major indexes briefly erased opening gains in mid-morning trade.

"I think that you've got a polling stalemate and people don't know what to do," said Maris Ogg, president at Tower Bridge Advisors. "At this moment, I think it's better to stay in cash."

Tech was one of the leaders in the S&P 500, helped by gains of 3 percent in shares of Micron Technology. Microsoft also gained more than 2 percent higher. The benchmark index outperformed, gaining about 0.3 percent.

The Nasdaq composite underperformed, with the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) trading more than 1 percent lower. The Dow transports and Russell 2000 fell about a third of a percent lower or more.

The EU referendum is set for Thursday. Analysts at Citi said in a Tuesday note they still see a 40 percent probability of a Brexit. "The end of the referendum will not alleviate political fragmentation, with anti-immigration, anti-establishment sentiment contributing to Vox Populi Risk, especially but not exclusively in Europe," they said.

"The focus of attention this week is on the U.K. vote on Thursday. It looks like overnight the polls tightened up a little bit," said Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at Baird. "It's a pretty nervous market. Nobody has any profits for the year. The last thing you want to do is get caught in a downdraft."

Ahead of the referendum, U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen kicks off her two-day testimony before Congress with a session scheduled for Tuesday morning before the Senate Banking Committee.

In prepared remarks, she said a cautious approach to monetary policy remains appropriate and while the pace of improvement in the labor market has slowed, it's important not to overreact to one or two labor reports. She added that a U.K. vote to leave the EU could have significant economic repercussions. She noted "transitory" pressure on inflation.

"In a vacuum of news where you're just waiting for a poll to come out, really for the results to come out (Thursday), she could fill the void a little bit," said Jeremy Klein, chief market strategist at FBN Securities.

Investors are listening closely for clues on the Fed's view on the economy and reasons for the recent shift in tone away from a summer rate hike. Analysts do not expect major changes in her stance on monetary policy since the Fed just met last week.

The U.S. dollar index held about half of a percent higher, with the euro near $1.125 and the yen near 104.8 yen versus the greenback as of 4 p.m. p.m. ET.

Pound sterling struggled for gains against the dollar to trade near $1.462. Earlier, sterling hit its highest against the greenback since January 4 and surged more than 2 percent Monday for its best day since late 2008.

U.S. crude oil futures for July delivery settled 52 cents lower, or 1.05 percent, at $48.85 a barrel.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Lucas Jackson | Reuters

Ahead of the U.S. market open, a Survation poll conducted for spread-betting firm IG showed Tuesday the leave camp gaining momentum again, at 44 percent versus the 42 percent published in a poll for the Mail over the weekend. Support for the remain camp held steady at 45 percent. The new Survation poll was conducted by telephone Monday, IG said in a Reuters report.

"I think we're all waiting for Brexit to happen and not have it be a catastrophic event," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities. "We're unwinding some of the damage done last week, but no one's celebrating anything."

The latest poll from ORB/Daily Telegraph showed 53 percent support for the remain camp and 46 percent for leave, versus a narrow lead in the leave camp of 49 percent over 48 percent in the prior poll. The most recent poll from YouGov/The Times showed remain at 42 percent versus leave at 44 percent, while 9 percent were undecided.

On Monday, U.S. stocks rallied, with the Dow rising more than 100 points.

"We had a great jump in the market yesterday," said Mariann Montagne, senior investment strategist at Gradient Investments. "I think today is just a little pullback in some of the higher beta sectors."

Gains in U.S. stock index futures followed mostly positive trading overseas, with the European STOXX 600 index closing more than half a percent higher.

Asian stocks closed mostly higher, with the Nikkei 225 up more than 1 percent. The Shanghai composite lagged with a decline of about a third of a percent.

Major U.S. Indexes


The Dow Jones industrial average rose 24.86 points, or 0.14 percent, to 17,829, with Microsoft leading advancers and Boeing the greatest decliner.

The climbed 5.65 points, or 0.27 percent, to 2,088.90, with energy leading six sectors higher and materials the greatest laggard.

The Nasdaq composite gained 6.55 points, or 0.14 percent, to 4,843.76.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, closed lower near 18.2.

About four stocks advanced for every three decliners on the New York Stock Exchange, with an exchange volume of 836.24 million and a composite volume of 3.14 billion at the close.

Gold futures for August delivery settled $19.60 lower at $1,272.50 an ounce.

On tap this week:

Tuesday

Earnings: FedEx, Adobe Systems, KB Home

Wednesday

Earnings: H&M, Bed Bath & Beyond, Actuant, Apogee, Red Hat, Winnebago

9 a.m. FHFA HPI

10 a.m. Existing home sales

10 a.m. Fed's Yellen testifies, House Financial Services

1 p.m. 7-year note auction

Thursday

Earnings: Accenture, Commercial Metals, Sonic

8:30 a.m. Initial jobless claims

9:45 a.m. Manufacturing PMI

10 a.m. New home sales

Friday

Earnings: Blackberry, Finish Line

8:30 a.m. Durable goods

10 a.m. Consumer sentiment

*Planner subject to change.