Month: April 2014

April 27. 2014

Market Review

All three major U.S. averages finished the week with losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.3 percent over the week to close at 16,361.46. The S&P 500 lost 0.1 percent for the week to finish at 1,863.40. The Nasdaq slid 0.5 percent for the week to end at 4,075.56. Four out of the 10 key S&P sectors ended higher for the week, led by utilities. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, the gauge of S&P 500 options prices known as the VIX, closed at 14.06. The gauge is up 2.5 percent for the year. Read More

April 20. 2014

Market Review

U.S. stocks ended the holiday-shortened week with solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.4 percent over the week to close at 16,408.54. The blue-chip index recouped all of the losses from the previous week. The S&P 500 jumped 2.7 percent for the week to finish at 1,864.85. The weekly gain was the best since July 2013. The Nasdaq advanced 2.4 percent over the past four days to end at 4,095.52. All key S&P sectors were positive for the week, led by energy. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), a measure of investor uncertainty, fell to 13.38. The measure has lost 22 percent this week, the most since January 2013. Read More

April 13. 2014

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished the week with deep losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.4 percent in five trading days to end at 16,026.75, its first weekly drop in four. The S&P 500 recorded a 2.7 percent loss over the week and closed at 1,815.69. The Nasdaq slumped 3.1 percent for the week to 3,999.73. The technology-laden index had its worst weekly hit since June 2012 and its longest weekly loss streak since late 2012. Most key S&P sectors ended in negative territory for the week. Utilities was the only advancing sector. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), the gauge of S&P 500 options known as the VIX, jumped to 17.01. Read More

April 06. 2014

Market Review

Last week U.S. stocks finished the week with a mixed performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.5 percent in five trading days to end at 16,412.71. The S&P 500 eked out a 0.4 percent gain over the week to finish at 1,865.09. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.7 percent to 4,127.73 for the five days. Among the key S&P sectors, industrials were the best weekly performer, while technology dragged. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, jumped near 14. Read More