Are we there yet?
Antsy financial markets have been asking the question about the government's plans for a massive financial-sector bailout since news of the package broke last week.
And now, after a few detours, Congress, like the ever-patient parent parrying the back-seat queries of little Max and Madison about the interminable family trip to Aunt Tilly's, can finally answer: Almost.
U.S. stocks finished solidly higher Thursday, though well below the session's best levels, as investors embraced news that congressional leaders have reached a fundamental agreement on a financial sector rescue plan. Concerns about the fate of the plan weighed on the market earlier this week. U.S. lawmakers said they will submit the $700 billion rescue plan to the Bush administration, with the goal of a vote by both houses of Congress within days. The White House set a summit Thursday afternoon featuring President Bush and major Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.
Of course, not everyone is pleased with the idea of a big-ticket relief package for the financial sector. Lawmakers and taxpayers have expressed strong opposition to the legislation amid charges that the plan amounts to a bailout of Wall Street.
Bonds were mixed. The dollar index pulled back from earlier highs in a volatile session. Gold futures plunged. Oil futures rose on the bailout news.
Traders weighed reports Thursday that weekly initial jobless claims rose 32,000 to 493,000; August durable goods orders fell 4.5%; and U.S. new home sales slumped 11.5% in August.
On Thursday, the blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average finished higher by 196.89 points, or 1.82%, at 11,022.06. The broader S&P 500 index added 23.40 points, or 1.97%, to end the session at 1,209.27. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index climbed 30.89 points, or 1.43%, to 2,186.57.
On the New York Stock Exchange, 23 stocks were higher in price for every 9 that fell. The ratio on the Nasdaq was 17-11 positive. Trading was light.
Financial and energy issues were among the session's best performers.
The bailout plan will approve a $700 billion fund that would be available in installments, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The first tranche would be a sizable $250 billion, however, compared to the original $150 billion proposal, which should placate the markets somewhat, says Action Economics. The bill will have limits on golden parachutes for executives and equity warrants would apply to all companies seeking to unwind assets. The alteration of bankruptcy laws appears to remain unresolved for another day. There could also be some benchmarking to gauge the success of the plan, which is expected to be passed before markets open on Monday.
Reuters is reporting that some House Republicans are offering an alternative insurance plan to the bailout.
Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified before Congress again Thursday, this time to the House Financial Services Committee on the Bush administration's financial rescue plan.
"We believe a bailout package will be approved with compromises. We think the equity markets will respond positively to this action," wrote S&P chief investment strategist Sam Stovall in a note late Wednesday.
As if to underscore the risks the economy faces, the markets received some discouraging news Thursday from a U.S. bellwether company. General Electric (GE) cut its third quarter earnings per share guidance from 50-54 cents to 43-48 cents, reflecting "unprecedented" weakness and volatility in financial services markets. The conglomerate does not expect difficult conditions in financial services markets to improve in the near future. GE also cut its $2.20-$2.30 2008 EPS guidance to $1.95-$2.10, and suspended stock buybacks. S&P Ratings Services affirmed its AAA long-term corporate credit rating on GE.
More gloomy news came in the form of Thursday's key economic reports. U.S. jobless claims rose 32,000 to 493,000 in the week ended September 20.