Stocks break out to the upside on economic and vaccine hopes

Stocks rose again last week, marking the first time since mid-April that equities enjoyed gains for two consecutive weeks. Investors appear increasingly optimistic over prospects for economic reopening and are taking solace in signs of improving economic data that indicate the U.S. may have seen the bottom for the current recession. The S&P 500 Index rose 3% last week, with economically sensitive cyclical areas such as industrials and financials faring the best.