Tag - Duf

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) posted a stunning rise on news the U.S. Federal Reserve has moved to increase liquidity. The small-cap index jumped 29.84 points, or 4.63%, its largest increase this year, to 673.81. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) added 416.66 points, or 3.55%, to 12,156.81.

On a year-to-date basis, the Russell 2000 has declined 12.04%, while the Dow is down 8.35% and the S&P 500 has let go 10.06%.

Stocks soared out of the gate on news before the start of trading that the U.S. Federal Reserve and four other central banks will make expanded loans of cash and securities to financial institutions in an effort to ease the credit squeeze and keep the economy growing.

The Fed said it will lend up to $200 billion of Treasury securities to primary dealers for a term of 28 days. The U.S. central bank usually makes such loans overnight.

The Russell 2000 opened strong and bobbled in the green until halfway through the session, when it settled on an upward trajectory.

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) is soaring on news of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s plan to boost liquidity.

At 10:05 a.m. ET, the small-cap index was up 14 points, or 2.17%, to 657.97. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) had added 233.65 points, or 1.99%, to 11,973.80.

Stocks small and large are flying on news before the start of trading that the U.S. Federal Reserve will make up to $200 billion available to financial institutions. The Fed said that the cash will be lent to banks for a term of 28 days.

Also involved in the plan are the central banks of Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, as well as the European Central Bank.

The move is the latest attempt to pump liquidity into the financial system and ease the credit squeeze that is threatening to push the U.S. economy into a recession.

With stocks rising, one of the biggest small-cap gainers is Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX). Shares of the Port Washington, N.Y.-based direct marketer of brand name and private-label products are higher on news after the close on Monday that fourth-quarter sales rose 19%.