US stocks close higher as Treasury yields decline

US stock indexes mostly gained as Treasury yields declined. Data assessment showed a slowdown in the labor market, coinciding with eased trade tensions after the postponement of tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.3%, or 134 points, to 44,556 points.

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index increased 0.7%, or 43 points, to 6,037 points, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced about 1.35%, or 262 points, to 19,654 points.

As for the European indices, the STOXX Europe 600 added 0.2% to 536 points, backed by gains in auto, technology, and banking stocks.

The FTSE 100 retreated 0.15% to 8,570 points, the DAX 40 advanced 0.35% to 21,505 points, and the CAC 40 added 0.65% at 7,906 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, or 278 points, to 38,798 points. TOPIX increased 0.65% to 2,738 points.

In the oil market, futures contracts for Brent crude for April 2025 delivery inched up 0.3%, or $0.24, to $76.20 per barrel, after touching $74.15 per barrel.

Meanwhile, prices of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for March delivery fell 0.65%, or $0.46, to $72.70 per barrel, offsetting losses after they touched $70.67.

As for gold, futures prices for the yellow metal for April delivery inched up 0.65%, or $18.7 to $2,875 per ounce, hitting a record level for the second session straight.

This came after the number of available job openings in the United States declined more than expected in December, along with a drop in new orders for manufactured goods during the month, marking the steepest decline since June 2024.