Month: November 2013

November 24. 2013

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished another week of gains with the both the Dow and the S&P 500 at a record high. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7 percent to end at 16,064.77, which marks a seventh consecutive weekly rise, its longest such stretch since an eight-week advance that ended Jan. 21, 2011. On Thursday, the blue-chip index closed above 16,000 for the first time. The S&P 500 added 0.4 percent over the five days to a record 1,804.76. The broad index closed above 1,800 for the first time and extended gains into a seventh consecutive week. The Nasdaq rose 0.1 percent to 3,991.65, posting its third consecutive weekly gain. Health care and financials led gainers among the S&P?s 10 major sectors. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), a gauge of investor uncertainty, fell to 12.35. Read More

November 17. 2013

Market Review

U.S. stocks climbed last week, lifting the S&P 500 and Dow to record closes again. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.3 percent, to end the week at a record 15,961.70.The S&P 500 gained 1.6 percent in the past five days to finish at 1,798.18. The broad index has posted its longest winning streak since February. Both the S&P 500 and Dow achieved their sixth weekly gains in a row. The Nasdaq gained 1.7 percent for the week to end at 3,985.97, posting its first up week in three weeks. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, closed at 12.19. All key S&P sectors ended in positive territory for the week, led by health care. Read More

November 10. 2013

Market Review

Last week, all three major U.S. averages finished the week with a mixed performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 146.23 points, or 0.9 percent, to close the week at a record 15,761.78. The blue-chip benchmark advanced for a fifth consecutive week. The S&P 500 increased 0.5 percent to 1,770.61 over the five days, extending the benchmark index?s rally also to a fifth straight week, the longest advance since Feb. 15. The Nasdaq climbed declined 0.1 percent to 3,919.23, its second straight weekly loss. Seven out of the 10 main industries in the S&P 500 advanced for the week, led by materials. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX) slid 2.9 percent to 12.90, after two weeks of gains. The measure is down 28 percent this year. Read More

November 03. 2013

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished the week nearly unchanged. In five trading days the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.3 percent to close at 15,615.55. The S&P 500 rose 0.1 percent to end at 1,761.64. The Nasdaq declined 0.5 percent for the week to end at 3,922.04, snapping a two-week winning streak. The Dow and S&P 500 both scored their fourth straight up week in a row. Furthermore, it was the best October for all three indexes since 2011 as the S&P 500 gained 4.5 percent, the Dow advanced 2.8 percent and the Nasdaq climbed 3.9 percent. Among the key S&P sectors, consumer staples were the best weekly performer, while materials dragged. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), a measure of investor uncertainty, fell to 13.23. Read More