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S&P 500 narrowly misses record high

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US stocks have finished higher as a February rally accelerates amid continued strength of some high-flying technology equities.

The broad-market S&P 500 rose 11.36 points (0.62 per cent) to 1,847.61, narrowly missing an all-time record.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 103.84 (0.64 per cent) at 16,207.14, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 29.56 (0.69 per cent) to 4,292.97.

The Dow has risen 3.2 per cent in February so far after falling 5.3 per cent in January.

Monday’s gains were led by prominent technology equities such as Netflix (+3.4 per cent), Tesla Motors (+3.8 per cent) and Facebook (+3.2 per cent).

“As long as these stocks keep working, money managers who are long are going to continue to add to those names that are continuing to go higher,” said Michael James, managing director of equity trading at Wedbush Securities.

Analysts said investors were also growing more confident about the US economic recovery, viewing recent economic data as weather-related.

“Investors believe the economy is going to strengthen in 2014 and earnings are going to be strong,” said Alan Skrainka, chief investment officer at Cornerstone Wealth Management.

“It’s foolish to bet against this market.”

Activist investor Carl Icahn took aim at eBay, pushing for a spinoff of the company’s PayPal unit and blasting directors for conflicts of interest. Shares jumped 3.1 per cent.

The takeover saga between Men’s Wearhouse and Jos A Bank Clothiers opened a new chapter when Men’s Wearhouse raised its bid for Jos A Bank from $US57.50 to $US63.50 per share if Jos A Bank terminates its proposed acquisition of Eddie Bauer.

The two companies have been manoeuvring since Men’s Wearhouse rejected Jos A Bank’s buyout offer last northern autumn. Men’s Wearhouse jumped 7.5 per cent while Jos A Bank increased 9.1 percent.

Health insurer Humana got a lift as the government’s Medicare Advantage program for seniors announced lower cuts to its payments to insurers than expected. Humana shares added 10.6 per cent.

Independent oil and gas producer Chesapeake Energy rose 2.7 per cent after announcing it is considering a spin-off of its oil services unit.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury rose to 2.75 per cent from 2.73 per cent Friday, while the 30-year increased to 3.71 per cent from 3.70 per cent. Bond prices and yields move inversely.