国际英语资讯:U.S. equities eke out modest weekly gains amid economic data, stimulus stalemate_时事

国际英语资讯:U.S. equities eke out modest weekly gains amid economic data, stimulus stalemate

It marked the first time U.S. weekly claims have dipped below 1 million since the economic shutdown sparked by the coronavirus pandemic began in March.

"The drop in claims reflects economic reopening, but it also suggests the expiration of federal supplemental unemployment benefits may have convinced some people to stop collecting and find work," Chris Low, chief economist at FHN Financial, said in a note on Thursday.

On other data front, U.S. consumer price index increased 0.6 percent in July, matching the rise in June, with gasoline accounting for a quarter of the gain, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.

Wall Street also looked to Washington for clues on further coronavirus stimulus as U.S. lawmakers continued to wrangle over the package.

More than 5.33 million confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in the United States with death over 169,000 as of Saturday afternoon, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Looking ahead, experts said a diversified approach is very important in an environment full of uncertainties.

"In a world awash in liquidity and with companies doing a little better than expected, the case for a well-diversified portfolio is paramount," said Zacks.

"We remain positive on the outlook for risk assets, but investors may need to employ different strategies to optimize their portfolio for the next phase of the recovery," UBS Global Wealth Management's Chief Officer Mark Haefele said in a note earlier this week.