Month: February 2015

February 22. 2015

Market Review

Right in line with our recent call, U.S. stocks rose for the week, sending the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average to record levels. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 121.09 points, or 0.7 percent, to 18,140.44 to top its closing high from Dec. 26. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6 percent to a record 2,110.3 in the holiday-shortened week, its third record close for the year. The Nasdaq advanced 1.3 percent from last Friday's close to 4,955.97. Most key S&P sectors ended in positive territory for the week, led by health care. Energy was the only decliner. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, fell to 14.30. Read More

February 15. 2015

Market Review

U.S. stocks ended the second straight week with solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.1 percent for the week to close at 18,019.35. The blue-chip index finished above 18,000 for the first time this year. The S&P 500 rallied 2 percent over the week to end at 2,096.99. The Nasdaq jumped 3.2 percent over the past five days to close at 4,893.84, the highest level since March 2000. Most key S&P sectors ended in positive territory for the week, led by technology. Utilities were the only decliners. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, fell 15 percent to 14.69. Read More

February 08. 2015

Market Review

U.S. stocks ended the week with solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.8 percent over the week to close at 17,824.29. The blue-chip index had its best week since January 2013. The S&P 500 jumped 3.0 percent for the week to finish at 2,055.47. The weekly gain was the best since December 2014. The Nasdaq advanced 2.4 percent over the past five days to end at 4,744.40. Most key S&P sectors ended in positive territory for the week, led by energy. Utilities were the only decliners. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, closed near 18. Read More

February 01. 2015

Market Review

U.S. stocks ended the week with deep losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.9 percent during the week and closed at 17,164.95. The S&P 500 dropped 2.8 percent from last Friday's close to 1,994.99. The Nasdaq lost 2.6 percent over the week to 4,635.24. The Dow finished January down 3.7 percent while the S&P dropped 3.1 percent and the Nasdaq 2.1 percent. All key S&P sectors finished in red, led by technology. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index ended at 20.97. Read More