Shares of industrial and transportation companies rose after surprisingly strong private-jobs market data.
U.S. private employers added 63,000 jobs last month, versus the revised 11,000 seen in ADP's January data, according to the payroll firm.
The Federal Reserve's Beige Book regional economic survey suggested the labor-market is firming up in most districts, but most businesses surveyed indicated the outlook was cloudy.
There were mixed signals about electric-car demand. Ford Motor said EV sales. Volvo Car is preparing to increase production of its fully electric EX60 sports-utility vehicle to meet strong demand from key countries such as Sweden and Germany.
Container shipping lines and defense contractors ticked down but retained the bulk of their recent gains as war continued to rage throughout the Middle East.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
03-04-26 1734ET
