US Equity Indexes Higher at Midday After Trump's Treasury Secretary Pick

US benchmark indexes traded higher in midday trading Monday, the first session after President-elect Donald Trump's selection of Scott Bessent as treasury secretary.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was 0.6% higher at 44,573.7, the S&P 500 was up 0.1% to 5,974.8 and the Nasdaq climbed 0.1% to 19,016.3 after midday on Monday.

Consumer discretionary and real estate led the gainers, while energy was the biggest decliner intraday.

Macquarie said in a note that traders were "in an upbeat mood," with an enthusiasm that seemed to be directed mainly at the US. "What seems to be celebrated is US President-elect's selection of Scott Bessent to be US [Secretary] of the Treasury," Macquarie said.

In economic news, the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank's monthly National Activity Index dropped to a reading of minus 0.40 in October from minus 0.27 in September, compared with expectations for an increase to a reading of minus 0.20 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. The three-month moving average slid to minus 0.24 from minus 0.21.

The Dallas Fed's monthly manufacturing index increased to a reading of minus 2.7 in November from minus 3.0 in October, compared with expectations for a larger gain to a reading of minus 2.4 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

In company news, Bath & Body Works (BBWI) shares jumped over 15% after it posted fiscal Q3 adjusted earnings and net sales ahead of consensus and boosted its guidance for the fiscal year.

Macy's (M) slipped 3.5% intraday after it said a former employee attempted to hide about $132 million to $154 million in delivery expenses from fiscal Q4 2021 through the most recent quarter. The retailer said that it is delaying its fiscal Q3 earnings release to allow for an independent audit of discrepancies.

The US 10-year Treasury yield fell 11 basis points to 4.30%. The two-year rate slid 6.2 basis points to 4.30%.

The US Dollar Index was down 0.6% to 106.9.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 3% to $69.04 per barrel.

Gold was down 3.2% to $2,626.9 an ounce, and silver retreated 3.8% to $30.16 per ounce.