Month: May 2015

May 31. 2015

Market Review

U.S. stocks closed the week with stronger losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.2 percent over the week to close at 18,010.68. The S&P 500 shed 0.9 percent for the week to finish at 2,107.39. The Nasdaq slid 0.4 percent for the week to end at 5,032. The tech-heavy index gained 2.6% over the month, however. All 10 key S&P sectors ended lower for the week, led by energy. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded near 14. Read more

May 24. 2015

Market Review

The three major U.S. averages finished the last week with a mixed performance. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2 percent to close at 18,232.02. The S&P 500 gained 0.2 percent over the week to close at 2,126.06. The broad index closed at records on two of the five days. The Nasdaq, in contrast, added 0.8 percent for the week to end at 5,089.36. Among the key S&P sectors, health care was the best weekly performer, while consumer staples dragged. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded near 12 after hitting a year-to-date low of 11.82. Read more

May 17. 2015

Market Review

The major benchmarks drifted lower for much of the week but ended modestly higher thanks to a strong and broad rally on Thursday. As a matter of fact, U.S. stocks finished the week with small gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.5 percent for the week to end at 18,272.62. The S&P 500 advanced 0.3 percent from last Friday?s close to finish at 2,122.71, a fresh record. The Nasdaq climbed 0.9 percent over the week to 5,048.29. Most key S&P sectors finished higher, led by consumer staples, while energy and financials ended in the red. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded near 12. Read more

May 10. 2015

Market Review

U.S. stocks finished slightly higher after a turbulent week. The S&P 500 eked out a small gain of 0.4 percent for the week to finish at 2,116.09. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.9 percent over the week to close at 18,191.11. The Nasdaq ended at 5,003.55 and, thus, finished the week roughly where it started. Nearly all key S&P sectors ended higher for the week, led by financials. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, the gauge of S&P 500 options prices known as the VIX, closed at 12.89. Read more

May 03. 2015

Market Review

All three major U.S. averages finished the week with modest losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.3 percent over the week to close at 18,024.06. The S&P 500 lost 0.4 percent for the week to finish at 2,108.29. The Nasdaq slid 1.7 percent for the week to end at 5,005.39. Three out of the 10 key S&P sectors ended higher for the week, led by materials. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, the gauge of S&P 500 options prices known as the VIX, closed at 12.69. Read more