(CNBC) — U.S. stock indexes rose Monday as markets reopened after the Christmas holiday and investors assessed the spread of the omicron Covid-19 variant.
The S&P 500 gained 1.4% to close at 4,791.19, marking its 69th record close of the year. The index also hit an intraday record for the first time in more than a month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 351.82 points, or roughly 1%, at 36,302.38. The Nasdaq Composite ticked up 1.4% to 15,871.26.
Market strategists remained positive on the overall equity outlook amid a surge in Covid cases. New studies suggest the omicron strain has a lower risk of hospitalization than other Covid variants.
