US stocks extend gains, as Dow Jones adds nearly 700 points

The major US stocks indices rose on Monday, after the markets digested the huge US stimulus aid package, amid focus on the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic.

The US President Donald Trump signed the $2 trillion stimulus aid package last Friday, which is aimed at providing support for the economy and easing the coronavirus impact.

The number of coronavirus infections in the US rose to more than 140,000, cases, surpassing China, Italy and Spain.

Most health experts estimate the coronavirus will claim nearly 200,000 victims in the US, while Trump stated that the death toll would increase to hundreds of thousands if he had not taken the recent measures.

To the oil market, WTI crude fell 6.6% to close at the lowest since Feb. 2002 of $20.09 a barrel, with a high of $20.9 and a low of $19.8.

Brent fell 8.7% to $22.76 a barrel, after hitting earlier a high of $24.4 and a low of $21.6.

As for stocks, Dow Jones rose 3.1% or 690 points to close at 22,327, and hit a day high of 22,378 and a low 21,522.

Nasdaq rose by 3.6% or 271 points to 7,774 points, with a high of 7,784 and a low of 7,539 points.

S&P 500 rose by 3.3% or 85 points to close at 2,626 with a high of 2,631 and a low of 2,545.