Month: July 2016

July 31st 2016

Market Review

All three major U.S. averages finished the week with a mixed performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.8 percent for the week to close at 18,432.24. The blue-chip index ended the month up 2.8 percent. The S&P 500 finished at 2,173.60. For the week, the benchmark index closed down 0.1 percent, but gained 3.6 percent for the month. For the benchmark S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average this was the fifth consecutive monthly advance. The Nasdaq Composite closed at 5,162.13. The tech-heavy index scored a 1.2 percent gain for the week and a 6.6 percent gain for the month. Among the key S&P sectors, technology was the best weekly performer. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded below 12. Read More

July 24. 2016

Market Review

U.S. stocks closed higher for the fourth straight week, with the S&P 500 hitting a new record high. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.3 percent to 18,570.85. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6 percent to close at a new all-time high of 2,175.03. The Nasdaq added 1.4 percent from the week earlier and finished at 5,100.16, its highest close of 2016. Among the key S&P sectors, technology was the best weekly performer, while energy dragged. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, hit a low of 11.4 this week, its lowest level since last summer. Read More

July 17. 2016

Market Review

U.S. stocks closed at their third straight week of gains, with the S&P 500 and the Dow posting new record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 2.0 percent over the week to end at a record high of 18,516.55. The S&P 500 recorded a weekly 1.5 percent gain to close at a record high of 2,161.74. The Nasdaq advanced 1.5 percent from last Friday's close to finish at 5,029.59. Among the key S&P sectors, materials were the greatest gainer for the week, while utilities were the only negative sector for the week. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded higher, near 13. Read More

July 10 2016

Market Review

All three U.S. major averages posted hefty gains for a second straight week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.1 percent from the prior Friday's close to end at 18,146.74, its best level of 2016. The S&P 500 added 1.3 percent over the week to end at 2,129.83, closing a point below its previous all-time high level of 2,130.82 reached May 21, 2015. The Nasdaq added 1.9 percent from the week-ago close to 4,956.76. Most key S&P sectors ended in positive territory for the week, led by consumer discretionary. Telecommunications and energy were the only decliners on the week. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded near 13.2, a one-month low. Read More

July 03. 2016

Market Review

The U.S. stock market finished the week with solid gains. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.2 percent to 17,949.37, its best week since November. The S&P 500 advanced 3.2 percent over the week to 2,102.95; also its best week since November. The Nasdaq rose 3.3 percent over the past five days to 4,862.57. All key S&P sectors ended in positive territory for the week, led by telecoms. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded below 15 to hit a three-week low. Read More