Shares on the major stock market indexes in the United States extended gains on Monday with Nasdaq 100 rising more than 340 points led mostly by strong performances of tech behemoths Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corporation. All eyes were still on the COVID-19 relief package talks scheduled between US President Joe Biden and the Republican senators, as White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki expressed optimism that the stimulus can be both large enough to help the economy exit the crisis, and accepted by both the Democratic party and the GOP. The Nasdaq 100 surged 2.66% or 343 points at 1:09 pm ET, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average concurrently jumped 0.81% or 239 points. A minute later, the S&P 500 soared 1.60%. The euro plunged 0.57% versus the dollar, selling for 1.20661 at 1:12 pm ET.