That was fast. Worries over a possible bubble in biotech and social media stocks quickly faded, sending stocks to record highs at Wednesday’s opening bell.
Investors focused on a number of positives, including stronger growth in China, a string of upbeat earnings reports and M&A chatter about the media sector.
Here are five things you need to know about your markets:
1. Another record-setting day: Get ready for more fireworks. After the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled below the 17,000 mark last week, it’s emphatically clawed its way back.
The index set a new all-time intrday record of 17,138 on Wednesday morning. The S&P 500 is also flirting with its 26th record close of the year. The broad index would have to finish above 1,985 for that to happen and it’s currently just a few points away.
2. Stock market movers — Time Warner, IBM, Apple, Yahoo: Rupert Murdoch is shaking up the media sector today.
Time Warner shares surged almost 16% after the owner of HBO and CNNMoney confirmed it received and rejected a takeover offer from Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox. While Time Warner rebuffed the buyout, stay tuned for more drama in this emerging story.
The news drove up prices of other media stocks, including Discovery Communication, CBS Corp, Comcast and Walt Disney Co.
In the tech world, shares of both IBM and Apple floated higher after they announced they would join forces to offer iPhones and iPads preloaded with special software developed by IBM. The alliance drove down shares of BlackBerry by almost 5%.
3. Earnings roll in: While investors decipher mixed messages from the Federal Reserve and the economy, earnings continue to largely impress.
Intel Corp rose nearly 6% after the chip maker posted earnings that beat expectations and announced plans to boost its share repurchase program by $20 billion. Intel is now the top performing stock in the Dow for 2014.
Textron Inc gained altitude, rising 4% on the Cessna maker’s higher profits and jumping revenue.
Abbott Lab ticked higher after the company boosted its outlook for the year and reporting second-quarter earnings that impressed investors.
Unlike many of its rivals,Bank of America Corp fell 2% after reporting a big drop in second-quarter earnings. While its profits exceeded expectations, BofA disclosed a $4 billion legal charge, showing the bank continues to be dogged by legal headaches.
Speaking of headaches, Yahoo slid 4% in the wake of reporting second quarter revenue and profits that missed forecasts. PNC dropped 4% after reporting a slight drop in profits and revenue.
After the closing bell, e-commerce giant eBay Inc is scheduled to hit the earnings stage.
4. China GDP: The world’s second biggest economy grew by 7.5% compared with the same period last year, despite continued worries about a slowdown in real estate. It was the first time the economy has accelerated in three quarters, putting China on a somewhat better footing to reach its official growth target of 7.5% for 2014.
5. Market overview: European markets bounced about 1% higher, encouraged by China’s growth figures, and U.S. stock futures were trading about 0.3% firmer.
Asian markets were also mainly firmer.
