Small caps rise on lower crude prices, higher consumer confidence

Small cap stocks pushed higher in Tuesday afternoon, erasing some of Monday’s sizable drop as crude oil prices fell and investors digested a rise in consumer confidence. At 2:14 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was up 15.61, or 2.24%, at 711.72 while the Dow was up 176.60, or 1.59%, to 11,307.68.

The consumer confidence report clocked in at 51.9, which was above the forecast of 50 and which sparked a quick jump in the U.S. dollar while extending the morning rally in equities. Consumer spending makes up more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. Earlier this morning, investors reacted tepidly to the Case-Shiller Home Price Index, which slipped at a record pace to minus 15.8% in May.

Crude oil futures were pushing lower this afternoon, which provided some support to the stock market. In recent trading, crude oil fell $2.84 to $121.89 a barrel. OPEC president Chakib Khelil said that current prices for crude were “abnormal” and that prices could fall to $70 to $80 dollars in the long-term picture if the U.S. dollar strengthens and political tensions ease. The greenback was up this afternoon against both the euro and the yen.

Traders will keep a close watch on the financial arena again today following news overnight that Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) announced plans to write-down $5.7 billion in debt and raise $8.5 billion in capital through new stock sales. In the afternoon session, MER shares were up some 2%. Also within the financial spectrum, Citigroup (NYSE:C) was the target of negative analyst comments overnight, but is still up 2.75% this afternoon.

For access to the full article, you must be a registered member - it's FREE.

Already a member? Please log in below