Stocks finished the week off on a high note with the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P solidly higher.
Investors were encouraged by progress in US-China trade talks. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin tweeted that the latest round of talks were “productive.”
In economic news, the University of Michigan said consumer sentiment increased more than expected in March. Elsewhere, the Commerce Department said that February new home sales surged nearly 5 percent in February, while a separate report showed that both personal income and spending increased less than expected in January.
British lawmakers turned down Prime Minister Theresa Mays third Brexit plan today. Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union on April 12th with or without a deal.
Shares of ride-hailing company Lyft soared on its first day of trading on the NASDAQ. The stock opened more than 20% over its IPO price, and closed the session 12% higher.
In the oil markets crude was up 91 cents to 60.21 a barrel.