DOW JONES–The US stock markets are trending higher on Thursday, supported by encouraging economic data and the US President’s about-face in the Greenland dispute. The Dow Jones index gained 1.0 percent to 49,544 points around midday (New York time). The S&P 500 rose by 0.7 percent and the Nasdaq Composite by 1.0 percent.
Share prices had already made strong gains on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump gave in to the dispute over Greenland. Contrary to what was initially announced, he now does not want to impose punitive tariffs on imports from those European NATO member states that, as a sign of solidarity, had sent soldiers to the island that belongs to Denmark, which Trump would like to add to the USA. Trump now said that he had agreed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on a framework agreement for a future “deal” for Greenland, without giving any details.
Among the day’s economic data, a slightly stronger increase than forecast was reported in the third reading for the gross domestic product for the third quarter of 2025. The number of initial applications for unemployment assistance rose slightly less significantly in the previous week than expected. The overall low number of initial applications shows that the employment situation remains good, as market participants note. The data on personal income and expenses were within expected limits. However, the PCE price index, which is considered the US Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation, was still well above the Fed’s inflation target of 2 percent at 2.8 percent in both the headline and core rates. This – as well as the still robust labor market – speaks against any interest rate cuts by the central bank in the near future.
The dollar is weakening according to the data. The dollar index falls by 0.3 percent. Yields on the US bond market are rising slightly, by 1 basis point to 4.26 percent in the ten-year range. The price of gold continues its rise and is trending higher. Oil prices are falling more sharply after the International Energy Agency forecast an oversupply of oil this year. Additionally, the government’s Energy Information Administration data reported a rise in U.S. oil inventories last week, while analysts had forecast a decline.
Shares of GE Aerospace are down 5.7 percent despite the company reporting strong fourth-quarter results and an overall optimistic outlook. However, some investors expected a more ambitious margin forecast, it is said. In addition, investors are likely to take profits after the share price gained around 70 percent in the past twelve months.
Procter & Gamble rises 2.3 percent. Although the company earned more than expected in its second fiscal quarter, sales missed analysts’ consensus estimates. Due to higher restructuring costs, the consumer goods group lowered its annual profit forecast, but confirmed its profit target on an adjusted basis.
Abbott Laboratories missed expectations with sales and profit in the final quarter. The shares fell by 8 percent. After the closing bell, Intel and Alcoa will report on the fourth quarter.
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INDEX last +/- % absolute +/- % YTD
DJIA 49,544.01 +1.0% 466.78 +2.1%
S&P 500 6,924.93 +0.7% 49.31 +0.4%
NASDAQ Comp 23,456.45 +1.0% 231.63 -0.1%
NASDAQ 100 25,530.84 +0.8% 204.26 +0.3%
FOREX last +/- % 0:00 Wed, 5:30 PM % YTD
EUR/USD 1.1739 +0.5% 1.1686 1.1703 -0.5%
EUR/JPY 185.81 +0.4% 184.99 185.06 +0.5%
EUR/CHF 0.9274 -0.3% 0.9299 0.9288 -0.2%
EUR/GBP 0.8703 +0.0% 0.8700 0.8711 -0.2%
USD/JPY 158.29 -0.0% 158.31 158.13 +1.0%
GBP/USD 1.3488 +0.4% 1.3431 1.3435 -0.3%
USD/CNY 6.9961 -0.0% 6.9990 6.9984 -0.4%
USD/CNH 6.9680 +0.1% 6.9591 6.9595 -0.2%
AUS/USD 0.6833 +1.1% 0.6758 0.6768 +1.3%
Bitcoin/USD 89,226.70 -0.6% 89,744.50 89,492.70 +1.7%
ROHOEL most recently VT-Settlem. +/-% +/- USD% YTD
WTI/Nymex 59.21 60.39 -2.0% -1.18 +5.7%
Brent/ICE 64.01 65.24 -1.9% -1.23 +7.1%
METALS last day previous +/- % +/- USD % YTD
Gold 4,880.01 4,831.30 +1.0% 48.71 +11.8%
Silver 95.70 93.11 +2.8% 2.59 +30.6%
Platinum 2,187.90 2,127.32 +2.8% 60.58 +21.3%
Copper 5.76 5.77 -0.1% 0.00 +1.3%
YTD based on the previous day’s closing level
(Information provided without guarantee)
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 22, 2026 12:26 ET (17:26 GMT)
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