Stocks rose on Monday as investors mulled the possibility of re-opening the economy after the coronavirus outbreak.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average popped 303.75 points, or 1.3%, to 24,079.02.
The S&P 500 strengthened 38.09 points, or 1.3%, to 2,874.83
The NASDAQ Composite hiked 112.29 points, or 1.3%, to 8,748.05.
JPMorgan Chase was the best-performing Dow stock, rising more than 4%. Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Bank of America all traded more than 3% higher.
States including Alaska, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas are beginning to allow restaurants and other establishments to serve customers.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday the state plans to re-open its economy in phases. The first phase, Cuomo said, would involve New York’s construction and manufacturing sectors. As part of the second phase, businesses will need to design plans for a re-opening that include social distancing practices and having personal protective equipment available.
Cuomo also noted that coronavirus-related hospitalizations have fallen for 14 days and that virus deaths in New York hit a near one-month low.
Stocks that would benefit most from an economic reopening led the way higher on Monday. United Airlines, MGM Resorts and Carnival all climbed more than 1%. Gap improved 0.9% and Kohl’s 1.3%.
Still, coronavirus shelter-in-place orders and social distancing guidelines remain Wall Street’s number-one concern as the rules keep thousands of businesses closed. Officials have confirmed nearly three million COVID-19 cases worldwide with over 900,000 in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Prices for the 10-Year Treasury sank, lifting yields to 0.65% from Friday’s 0.59%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices shed $4.69 to $12.25 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices slumped $16.20 to $1,724.30 U.S. an ounce.