Month: June 2014

June 29. 2014

Market Review

The three major U.S. averages finished the last week with a mixed performance. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6 percent to close at 16,851.84. The blue-chip index is up 0.8 percent for June. The S&P 500 slid 0.1 percent in five trading days to close at 1,960.96. The broad index is up 1.9 percent this month. The Nasdaq, in contrast, added 0.7 percent for the week to end at 4,397.93. The technology-laden index is up 3.7 percent for June. Among the key S&P sectors, utilities were the best weekly performer, while industrials dragged. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, fell to 11.26. Read More

June 22. 2014

Market Review

U.S. Stocks ended another up week on a record-breaking note, with the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at all-time highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.0 percent over the week to end at 16,947.08. Friday?s close was the Dow's 11th closing record of the year. Additionally, the blue chip index also scored an all-time intraday high above 16,978, eclipsing its prior intraday record hit June 9. The S&P 500 rose 1.4 percent to 1,962.87 over the five days, also setting the next record close and its biggest weekly percentage gain since April 17. The Friday session marked the S&P's 22nd record close this year. The Nasdaq Composite added a weekly gain of 1.3 percent to 4,368.04. Utilities and energy led gainers among the S&P?s 10 major sectors. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, the gauge of S&P 500 options prices known as the VIX, ended at 10.85. The measure is trading near its lowest level since 2007. Read More

June 15. 2014

Market Review

All three major U.S. averages finished the week with losses. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.9 percent to 16,775.58. The S&P 500 recorded a 0.7 percent loss over the past five trading days to end at 1,936.15. The Nasdaq Composite suffered a weekly decline of 0.3 percent to 4,310.65. Energy was the only gainer among the S&P?s 10 major sectors. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), a gauge for U.S. stock volatility, ended at 12.18. Read More

June 08. 2014

Market Review

As highlighted in our latest call, U.S. stocks finished another week of gains with the Dow and the S&P 500 index at record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.2 percent from the week ago close to finish at 16.924.28. The blue-chip index recorded its second straight record close and has notched eight closing records so far this year. The Dow?s weekly rise was also its strongest since April 17. The S&P 500 jumped 1.3 percent for the week to close at an all-time high of 1,949.44, notching its 18th record close of the year and its third straight record finish. The broad index also had its strongest weekly percentage rise since April 17. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow have each seen three straight weekly gains. The Nasdaq rocketed 1.9 percent for the week to end at 4,321.40 and posted its fourth straight weekly advance. Industrials and financials led gainers among the S&P?s 10 major sectors. The CBOE Volatility Index fell to 10.73. The gauge of U.S. equity volatility known as the VIX closed at the lowest level since February 2007. Read More

June 01. 2014

Market Review

Right in line with our recent call, U.S. stocks rallied for the week, lifting the benchmark indexes to new record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.8 percent in the holiday-shortened week to end at 16,717.17, topping its May 13 record. The blue-chip index notched a monthly gain of 0.8 percent. The S&P 500 gained 1.2 percent over the week to 1,923.57, also a record. The benchmark index for American equities advanced 2.1 percent in May, with both the Dow and the S&P tallying a fourth monthly gain. The Nasdaq soared 3.1 percent to 4,242.62. The tech-heavy index ended with a 3.1 percent gain in May. The monthly gain was the index?s first in three months. Among the key S&P sectors, utilities and consumer staples were the best weekly performer. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, a gauge of options prices known as VIX, ended at 11.40. Read More