The DJIA suffered a triple-digit loss as crude oil approached a seven-year low
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) couldn't hold yesterday's momentum, suffering a triple-digit loss as oil prices continued to fall to seven-year lows. Blue chip DuPont (NYSE:DD) also weighed on the index, dropping after an official merger announcement with Dow Chemical Co (NYSE:DOW). Adding fuel to the bearish fire was news that Third Avenue Focused Credit Fund is preventing clients from withdrawing money. By the close -- and ahead of next week's key Fed meeting -- the Dow and its index peers were deep in the red for the week.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,265.21) lost 309.5 points, or 1.8%, with all 30 blue-chip components finishing the day in the red. DuPont (NYSE:DD) was today's biggest loser, sliding 5.5%, but it was also the only stock on the DJIA to finish the week in positive territory. As a whole, the index fell 3.3% this week, breaching its 10-week moving average for the first time since early October.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,012.37) gave up 39.9 points, or 1.9% thanks to continued losses in the energy sector, posting a weekly loss of 3.8% -- its steepest since August. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,933.47) lost 111.7 points, or 2.2%, closing below the round-number 5,000 level for the first time in more than three weeks. The COMP lost 4.1% this week.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 24.39) jumped 5.1 points, or 26.1%, posting its highest close since late September and gaining 64.7% on a weekly basis.
5 Items on Our Radar Today:
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The House of Representatives passed a stop-gap spending bill that will give Congress time to continue negotiating a $1.15 trillion budget to fund government programs through next September. The bill, which will stop the government from shutting down at midnight, was approved by the Senate on Thursday, and has been sent to the president for approval. (Reuters via CNBC)
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Retail sales picked up strength in the U.S. last month, rising 0.2%, with falling auto sales keeping the total gain low. Excluding auto sales, retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.4%. Producer prices also rose in November, posting their largest gain since June, but remain in negative territory year-over-year. (MarketWatch)
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Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) slipped lower on acquisition news.
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An analyst upgrade couldn't help this oil stock overcome dropping crude prices.
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Short interest soared on 2 struggling luxury retailers.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Commodities:
Oil continued its sharp decline, as traders weighed the International Energy Agency's (IEA) warning that inventory problems could continue to worsen into next year. January crude oil dropped $1.14, or 3.1%, settling at $35.62 a barrel, for a weekly loss of 10.9% -- their steepest weekly drop of 2015.
Gold bounced back, erasing earlier losses, as the U.S. dollar weakened and traders sought "safe haven" assets. February futures for the malleable metal closed $3.70, or 0.4%, higher at $1,075.70 an ounce, bringing gold to a 0.8% loss for the week.