<p>Main US indexes gain; S&amp;P 500 out front, up ~0.5%</p>
<p>Utilities leads S&amp;P 500 sector gainers; Comm Svcs sole loser</p>
<p>Dollar down; crude gains; gold up ~2%; bitcoin up ~5%</p>
<p>US 10-Year Treasury yield falls to ~4.06% Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at</p>
<h3>A NEW ERA FOR INDUSTRIALS?</h3>
<p>Investors have favored big tech stocks and high-quality bonds for years, but these assets have become expensive. Going forward, Bank of America sees better opportunities elsewhere – within an industrial renaissance.</p>
<p>Analysts led by Jared Woodard say there are signs of a new U.S. industrial era, supported by strong manufacturing data and potential banking deregulation that could unlock over $1 trillion in new lending.</p>
<p>Bank of America’s indicators show industrial momentum at its best levels since 2021, with tight truck capacity and rising demand.</p>
<p>The main barrier has been restrictive credit conditions, but reforms could ease this. The data suggests GDP growth could reach 3-4%, above expectations.</p>
<p>Similar strength appears globally, with Korean exports pointing to strong worldwide earnings growth.</p>
<p>To take advantage of this shift, Bank of America recommends investors look to small- and mid-cap stocks in industrials, materials, banks and defense. Foreign stocks with deep capital markets are also attractive, particularly in Asia, along with real assets and commodities.</p>
<p>These areas remain underinvested, but are now leading returns in 2025 as the economic environment changes.</p>
<p>(Karen Brettell)</p>
<h3>EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:</h3>
<h3>INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR BEARS LEAP - AAII  LUCKY 13: CORE CPI NUDGES CLOSER TO FED INFLATION TARGET CLICK HERE US STOCKS STRUGGLE EARLY, YIELDS UNDER PRESSURE CLICK HERE US STOCK FUTURES FIRM UP SLIGHTLY, YIELDS SLIP, AFTER SOFT CPI CLICK HERE GRIT IN THE OYSTER - GOLDMAN ON CENTRAL BANK DISSENTERS CLICK HERE AI DISRUPTION IS NOT A NEGATIVE - JEFFERIES CLICK HERE LUXURY STRUGGLES ON L’OREAL RESULTS CLICK HERE EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: NOT ANOTHER AI-INDUCED SELLOFF CLICK HERE MORNING BID: NO LONGER THE APPLE OF THEIR EYE CLICK HERE</h3>

.SPX

- Major U.S. indexes saw gains, with the S&P 500 leading at approximately 0.5% increase, while utilities performed well and communication services lagged.  
- Bank of America anticipates a new industrial renaissance in the U.S., driven by strong manufacturing data and possible banking deregulation that could facilitate over $1 trillion in lending, predicting GDP growth of 3-4%.  
- Investors are encouraged to target small- and mid-cap stocks in industrials and real assets, as these sectors emerge as leading return areas amid changing economic conditions.

LIVE MARKETS-A new era for industrials?