But investors also worry that Trump's measures could stir inflation and push the US central bank to raise rates more aggressively than anticipated. "Clearly, some of the members on the committee are taking a look at proposed fiscal changes, whether that's tax cuts or infrastructure spending," said Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Investment Officer for Cornerstone Financial Partners. "It's confirmation of what people were already expecting."
Extremely low interest rates have fuelled a rally of over 200 percent in the S&P 500 since the 2008 financial crisis, and investors worry that raising rates will crimp future increases. With just over two weeks left before Trump takes office, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing in on the 20,000 mark for the first time, investors also say they need to see evidence that his campaign-trail promises will be approved by Republican lawmakers.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3 percent to end at 19,942.16, while the S&P 500 gained 0.57 percent to 2,270.75. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.88 percent to 5,477.01. After the bell, Macy's cut its 2016 earnings outlook, blaming weakness in handbags and watches. Its stock dropped 8.3 percent in extended trade, while Nordstrom lost 6 percent and JC Penney fell 4.4 percent.
Since Trump unexpectedly won his bid for the White House on November 8, the S&P has gained over 6 percent and the Dow has rallied nearly 9 percent. In Wednesday's session, the materials index rallied 1.39 percent, its best day in nearly a month. The S&P 500 consumer discretionary sector rose 1.33 percent, helped by gains in automakers. Both General Motors and Ford rose over 4 percent after posting better-than-expected US sales in December.
Nine of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors were higher, with just the energy and telecommunications sectors in negative territory. Gilead Sciences jumped 2.99 percent after the biopharmaceutical company named a new oncology chief. Comcast rose 1.19 percent after Macquarie raised its price target. Advancing issues outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a 5.84-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 3.44-to-1 ratio favoured advancers. The S&P 500 posted 27 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 160 new highs and 18 new lows. About 7.0 billion shares changed hands in US exchanges, more than the 6.8 billion daily average over the last 20 sessions.