Month: February 2014

February 23. 2014

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished quite mixed for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3 percent during the holiday-shortened week to end at 16,103.30. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1 percent for the week to finish at 1,836.25. The Nasdaq gained 0.5 percent over the week to 4,263.41, its third straight weekly gain. Health care and utilities led gainers among the S&P?s 10 major sectors. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX), the gauge of S&P 500 options known as the VIX, finished at 14.68. Read More

February 16. 2014

Market Review

U.S. stocks rallied for the week with all three major averages posting their biggest weekly gain of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.3 percent for the week to close at 16,154.39. The S&P 500 rallied 2.3 percent over the week as well to end at 1,838.63. The Nasdaq jumped 2.9 percent over the week to close at 4,244.03, the highest level since July 2000. Utilities and health care led gainers among the S&P?s 10 major sectors. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, the gauge of S&P 500 options known as the VIX, fell 4 percent to 13.57. Read More

February 09. 2014

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished the week with modest gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6 percent for the week to finish at 15,794.08, ending a two-week losing streak. After three straight weeks of losses, the S&P 500 gained 0.8 percent for the week to close at 1,797.02. Both the Dow and the S&P 500 posted their best week of the year. The Nasdaq advanced 0.5 percent for the week to end at 4,125.86. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) finished at 15.29. Among the key S&P sectors, materials were the best weekly performer, while utilities dragged. Read More

February 02. 2014

Market Review

U.S. stocks ended another week with deep losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.9 percent during the week to 15,698.85. The S&P 500 slipped 0.4 percent to 1,782.59 in the week and recorded its third weekly decline in a row. Both gauges capped the worst month in almost two years, with the S&P 500 finishing January down 3.6 percent while the Dow dropping 5.3 percent. The Nasdaq lost 0.6 percent over the week to 4,103.88, its second-straight week of declines. The tech-heavy index is down 1.7 percent over the month. Among the key S&P sectors, utilities were the best weekly performer, while consumer staples dragged. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index added 1.5 percent over the week to 18.41, the highest level since October. The gauge of S&P 500 options known as the VIX has jumped 34 percent this year. Read More