CLOSING BELL

Dow 10185.53 +118.20, Nasdaq 2181.20 +23.85, S&P 1089.19  +15.32 

Strength in the natural resource sector helped the stock market put together a low-volume gain that concluded at session highs with all 10 major sectors in positive ground.

Materials stocks rose +3.7% as precious metals headed higher after posting sizable losses in recent weeks, gold prices closed +1.9% higher at $1105 per ounce, while silver prices were +2.9% higher at $16.66 per ounce. 

Energy giant Exxon Mobil (XOM) 66.18, +1.75, +2.72% was a primary leader in the group, due to its better-than-expected earnings and a +2.1% rise in crude oil prices, which closed at $74.13 per barrel.

Economic data today was generally mixed. ISM Manufacturing Index exceeded expectations with a multiyear high of 58.4 for January and Construction Spending during December fell a steeper-than-expected -1.2% decline, which is worse than the -0.5% forecast.

Personal income during December was up +0.4% in a slightly sharper increase than had been expected, but spending during increased at a softer-than-expected pace of +0.2%. Core personal consumption expenditures increased just +0.1% month-over-month, in-line with expectations.

Advancing Sectors: Materials +3.7%, Energy +3.0%, Financials +1.6%, Tech +1.5%, Industrials +1.5%, Consumer Discretionary +1.1%, Consumer Staples +0.8%, Utilities +0.7%, Health Care +0.5%, Telecom +0.4%

Declining Sectors: (None)