Wednesday’s Closing Look

Stocks rallied on Wednesday as Janet Yellen spent the day testifying on Capitol Hill. Economic news was mixed. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.6% in January, which was higher than the Street’s estimate for for 0.3%. Separately, Retail sales, rose 0.4% last month beating estimates for 0.1%. The Housing market index came in at 65, missing estimates for 68. Weekly mortgage applications fell -3.7%, which was sharply lower than last week’s reading of 2.3%. Meanwhile, the Empire State Manufacturing Index came in at 18.7, higher than the Street’s estimate for 7.5.

Gary’s thoughts: Ho hum…another up day off of the breakout of 9 tight weeks in the market. No complaints…and as we have said, biotechs re-emerging. Would love to see some rest in here.