Late Equity Roundup, IT, Materials, Communication Services Leading

Stocks continue to extend late session highs, Information Technology, Materials and Communication Services sectors outperforming. SPX eminis trade +54 (1.28%) at 4264.25; DJIA +304.71 (0.91%) at 33642.13; Nasdaq +206.8 (1.6%) at 12987.16.

• Modest buying outweighed sellers following deflationary data: Import (-1.4%)/Export (-13.3%) prices come out weaker than expected, UMich sentiment gains and mixed/less hawkish comments from Richmond Fed Barkin on CNBC in the first half.
• SPX leading/lagging sectors: As noted, Information Technology sector +1.62%, lead by semiconductor and hardware makers, Materials (+1.51%) lead by Albemarle (ALB) +5.0%, and Communication Services +1.33% w/ Dish Network (DISH) +3.12% and Disney (DIS) +2.54% after 50% profit surge anncd midweek. Laggers: Energy (+0.09%), Consumer Staples (+0.48%) and Industrials (+0.89%).
• Dow Industrials Leaders/Laggers: United Health (UNH) +8.02 at 540.88, Microsoft (MSFT) +3.02 at 290.04, Apple (AAPL) +2.88 at 171.37, McDonalds (MCD) + 2.40 at 261.68. Laggers: Chevron (CVX) off lows at 158.65 -0.97, Johnson and Johnson (JNJ) -0.90 at 166.24, Verizon (VZ) +0.28 at 45.06.