Shares of industrial and transportation companies rose after strong earnings and a dividend boost.
Shares of Ford Motor surged after the auto giant reinstated its quarterly dividend, reflecting growth in demand.
Caterpillar shares rose sharply after the maker of mining, construction and energy equipment posted third-quarter earnings in excess of Wall Street targets.
Airbus shares rose after the European aerospace concern posted a third-quarter profit, in contrast to a loss reported by rival Boeing.
Economic signals were somewhat mixed. In the U.S., the Commerce Department estimated gross domestic product grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2% from July to September, marking the weakest quarter of growth since the recovery began in mid-2020.
The European Commission said its economic sentiment indicator, an aggregate measure of business and consumer confidence, rose to 118.6 in October from 117.8 in September.
Stanley Black & Decker shares fell after the tool maker cut its 2021 earnings projection, citing rises in commodity, transportation and labor costs.
Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
10-28-21 1732ET
