FKLI Related News (Wed, Dec 19)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rallied on strong volume on Tuesday, capping off the S&P 500's best two-day run in a month, on confidence that a deal would be struck in Washington to avoid painful spending cuts and tax hikes that could hurt the economy. Banks, energy and technology - sectors that would benefit during economic expansion - led gains as investors remain confident that lawmakers will come to an agreement to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" deadline at the end of the year.

"The view is that the economy is getting better, and that is always good for energy demand," said Shawn Hackett, president at Hackett Financial Advisors in Boynton Beach, Florida. Hackett said the United States would avoid "whatever the cliff means" for the economy, allowing investors to focus on growth. President Barack Obama's most recent offer to Republicans in the ongoing budget talks makes concessions on taxes and social programs spending. House Speaker John Boehner said the offer is "not there yet," though he remains hopeful about an agreement. Senate Democrats, however, have expressed concern about cuts to Social Security.

Financial stocks shot higher, as traders bet on a greater demand for loans and a steepening of the yield curve. U.S. government debt sold off Tuesday, with the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note's yield briefly hitting its highest since late October. The S&P financial sector (.GSPF) added 1.5 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) rose 115.57 points, or 0.87 percent, to 13,350.96 at the close. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) gained 16.43 points, or 1.15 percent, to 1,446.79. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) added 43.93 points, or 1.46 percent, to 3,054.53. It was the S&P 500's first back-to-back gain of more than 1 percent since late July.

Stocks of smaller companies outperformed the broader market, with the Russell 2000 (.RUT) up 1.5 percent. Shares of firearm makers sank in the aftermath of a school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, on Friday that killed 20 young children and six adults. Smith and Wesson (SWHC) fell 10 percent to $7.79 on its largest-ever daily volume, though it was still up about 77 percent so far this year. Sturm Ruger and Co (RGR) slid 7.7 percent Tuesday to $40.60. Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management said it would sell gunmaker Freedom Group, whose Bushmaster AR-15 rifle was used in the Connecticut massacre. Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS.N) suspended the sale of certain semi-automatic rifles in its stores nationwide.

FKLI spot month opened higher this morning at 1,671. Today’s Support and Resistance for December contract is located around 1,660 and 1,675 respectively.