These Old-Economy Stocks Flexed Their Muscles Thursday

During much of 2020, technology stocks led the way higher, allowing stock markets to post gains even under unprecedented economic pressures. In 2021, however, the stocks that got left behind in the market rally last year are vying for their turn in the sun. That's played a key role in the performance of major market benchmarks, as more sectors of the market have seen gains. As of 10:30 a.m. EDT Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) was up 139 points to 35,070. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) had gained 20 points to 4,421, and the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) had picked up 56 points to 14,818.

Earnings season is at its peak, and a host of companies both young and old are talking about their latest results. Thursday was a good day for Ford Motor (NYSE: F) and Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM), as the two well-known stalwarts aim to take what they've learned over the course of their long histories and take advantage of new opportunities to find pathways for further growth. Below, we'll look more closely at how Ford and Yum did and what it says about old-economy stocks in general.

Shares of Ford Motor were up 5% Thursday morning. Investors reacted positively to the news the automaker gave investors late Wednesday afternoon, which showed that the it is doing its utmost to participate in the massive shift toward electric vehicles while still making the most of its current lineup of popular vehicles.

Source Fool.com