US Stocks End Mostly Up As Trump Impeached Again

Wall Street stocks finished a choppy session mostly higher as Intel rallied on an executive shakeup while investors monitored a debate on impeaching US President Donald Trump.

Investors largely shrugged off the happenings in Washington, where Trump was impeached for the second time in a House vote that finished after the market closed.

The Federal Reserve said most regions of the US reported "economic activity increased modestly," and employment rose, albeit slowly, while housing sales remained strong and manufacturing stayed on an upward trajectory.

The Dow Jones ended down less than 0.1 percent at 31,060.

The S&P 500 added 0.2 percent at 3,809, while the advanced 0.4 percent to 13,128.

Markets remain near all-time highs as investors bet on an improving 2021 economy in anticipation of more US stimulus once Joe Biden is inaugurated as president.

"The market isn't too worried about politics right now," said Gregori Volokhine, president of Meeschaert Financial Services. "The page on Donald Trump's presidency is turning, even if there is still controversy over him."

Shares of Intel surged seven percent as the chipmaker named VMware head Pat Gelsinger as its new chief executive, replacing Bob Swan after pressure from activist investors. VMware fell 6.8 percent.

Target fell 1.2 percent as it reported a 17.2 percent jump in comparable sales growth for the key holiday shopping season. (AFP)