Month: January 2014

January 26. 2014

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished the holiday-shortened week with deep losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.5 percent over the week to 15,879.11, its worst weekly percentage decline since 2011. The S&P 500 dropped 2.6 percent for the week to finish at 1,790.29. Its worst weekly percentage loss since June 2012. The benchmark index is now already 3.1 percent below its record high reached January 15. After two weeks of gains, the Nasdaq lost 1.7 percent for the week to end at 4,128.17. The technology-laden index is now down 1.2 percent since the start of the year. Among the key S&P sectors, utilities were the best weekly performer, while materials dragged. The CBOE Volatility Index, or VIX, a measure of investor uncertainty, jumped nearly 32 percent to 18.14. Read More

January 19. 2014

Market Review

The three major U.S. averages finished another week with mixed results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average eked out a small gain of 0.1 percent to finish at 16,458.56. The blue-chip average managed to post its first weekly gain of the year but is still down 0.7 percent for the year. The S&P 500 fell 0.2 percent for the week to finish at 1,838.70. The broad index is down 0.5 percent for 2014. The Nasdaq advanced 0.6 percent for the week to 4,197.58, up 0.5 percent for the year. Among the key S&P sectors, technology was the best weekly performer, while energy dragged. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX) finished at 12.44. Read More

January 12. 2014

Market Review

All three major U.S. averages finished the week with a mixed performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.2 percent over the week, to end at 16,469.99. The blue-chip index posted its second weekly loss in a row this year. The S&P 500 advanced 0.6 percent for the week to finish at 1,842.37. The broad index had its first weekly gain this year. The Nasdaq added 1 percent for the week to 4,174.66, its first weekly gain this year as well. Among the key S&P sectors, health care was the best weekly performer, while materials dragged the most. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, the gauge of S&P 500 options known as the VIX, ended at 12.14. The index has fallen 12 percent this month and closed at the lowest level since August. Read More

January 05. 2014

Market Review

All three U.S. indexes finished the first week of the year in negative territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 8.42 points, or 0.1 percent, to 16,469.99 for the week. The S&P 500 declined 0.5 percent to 1,831.37 in the holiday-shortened week, after completing 2013 with a nearly 30 percent gain, the most since 1997. The Nasdaq lost 0.6 percent to 4,131.91. Eight of 10 main S&P 500 groups retreated for the week, with energy and utility dropping at least. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, the gauge of S&P 500 options known as the VIX, advanced 10 percent to 13.76 for the week. The gauge finished 2013 with a 24 percent drop, the largest decline since 2009. Read More