Strong Manufacturing Data Lifts Wall Street on February 2, 2026

Wall Street rose on February 2, 2026, buoyed by stronger-than-expected U.S. manufacturing data that signaled resilient economic activity. The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Manufacturing PMI registered 52.8 in January, surpassing the 50.0 mark that separates expansion from contraction and exceeding consensus estimates of 51.5. The upbeat report eased concerns about a sharp economic slowdown, supporting gains across major indices. The S&P 500 climbed 0.9%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 285 points. Analysts noted the data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may hold rates steady in the near term, given persistent but stable inflation pressures in the industrial sector.