Stocks extend weekly gains, buoyed by positive Remdesivir findings

U.S. stocks gained as signs that the world could be closer to an effective treatment for covid-19 blunted concerns that a rising number of cases will curb the global economic recovery.

Gilead Sciences Inc. advanced after reporting its Remdesivir treatment cut COVID-19 mortality risk by 62%, helping to ease concern about spreading infections.

The Nasdaq closed at a record for the fourth time this week, up 70 points, to 10,617.

Banks led the S&P 500 index higher as the gauge extended its weekly gain to 1.8%. The index rose 1% Friday, to 3,185. The S&P outperformed the tech-heavy Nasdaq on Friday for the first time in almost two weeks.

The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 369 points, or 1.4%, to 26,074.89

Oil rallied past $40 a barrel. European shares advanced. Treasurys reversed a gain that had pushed the five-year yield to a record low.

With record deaths across America, as well as fears of a second wave in Asia, the spotlight is back on the outlook for the coronavirus as investors head into the weekend. Fiscal and monetary stimulus has buoyed markets thus far, but investors are looking for signals on what additional support may be in the works. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Robert Kaplan, speaking on Fox Business, said he sees the need for more fiscal outlays.

“The equity rally can continue,” said Ben Kirby, co-head of investments and portfolio manager at Thornburg Investment Management, which has about $40 billion in assets under management. “We have too much liquidity in the system, and more in the pipeline.”