Month: May 2021

May 30th 2021

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished the week in positive territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.9% over the week to close at 34,529.45. The S&P 500 recorded a weekly gain of 1.2% and finished at 4,204.11, sitting just 0.8% from its record high. Both benchmarks broke a two-week losing streak. The Nasdaq ended at 13,748.74 and increased 2.1% over the past week. For the month of May, the 30-stock Dow and the S&P 500 gained 1.9% and 0.6%, respectively, posting their fourth up month in a row. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, however, suffered a 1.5% loss this month for its first negative month in seven. Most key S&P sectors ended in positive territory for the week, led by the discretionary sector; the utilities sector led decliners. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, closed near 16.8. Read More

May 23rd 2021

Market Review

U.S. averages finished the week with a mixed performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.5% over the week, to end at 34,207.84. The S&P 500 declined 0.4% from last week's close to finish at 4,155.86. The Nasdaq closed at 13,470.99, ending the week 0.3% higher and breaking a four-week losing streak. Among the key S&P sectors, the health care sector was the best weekly performer, while energy dragged the most. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, the gauge of S&P 500 options known as the VIX, ended at 20.2. Read More

May 16th 2021

Market Review

U.S. stocks experienced a roller-coaster week that saw the major averages drop several percentage points from Monday to Wednesday. The indexes have rebounded from the sell-off, but the sharp gains on Friday were not large enough to reverse weekly losses. Finally, they posted modest losses for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.1% in that time period to finish at 34,382.13. The S&P 500 dipped 1.4% in five trading days to end at 4,173.85. The Nasdaq finished at 13,429.98 and lost 2.3% this week. Among the key S&P sectors, the consumer staples sector was the best weekly performer, while discretionary dragged. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) – seen by many investors as the best “fear gauge” on Wall Street – traded near 18.8. Read More

May 9th 2021

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished the week mostly with strong gains and with two major indexes posting new record highs. Closing at a record of 34,777.76, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 2.7% for the week to break a two-week losing streak. The S&P 500 booked a weekly gain of 1.2% and closed at a record of 4,232.60. The Nasdaq finished at 13,752.24 and shed 1.5% this week. Most key S&P sectors finished higher, led by the energy sector. The CBOE Volatility index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, dropped to 16.7. Read More

May 2nd 2021

Market Review

U.S. stocks wrapped a busy week that left the major averages mostly unchanged for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.5% for the week to close at 33,874.85. The blue-chip index rose about 2.7% in April and is up 10.7% year to date. The S&P 500 hit a closing record on Thursday and ended the week virtually unchanged at 4,181.17. The broad index notched its third straight month of gains in April, adding more than 5%. For the year, the index is up 11.3%. The Nasdaq declined 0.4% over the week to end at 13,962.68. Still the heavy-tech benchmark is up 5.4% month to date and 8.3% year to date. Most key S&P sectors closed higher for the week, led by the energy sector. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, closed below 18.6. Read More