3/4/2021 4:15:00 PM GMT | By Ivan Brian
Update at 11 am EST: Stocks continue to hold the line ahead of testimony later by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Powell is due to speak at 1205 EST. Powell has been the inflation killer in his last speech and will need to step again to calm market fears. The US 10 Year is holding steady below 1.5% for now helping the Nasdaq to a 0.6% gain while the Dow and S&P are up 0.2%.
Sectoral performance shows Energy again leading the way, up 3%, while Utilities and Consumer Staples are up by 1%. Industrial and Utility sectors are the worst performers down 0.6% and 0.9% respectively.