Dow Jones Industrial Average Settles Push-and-Pull Session With a Loss

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) started off on a strong note, as bond yields retreated. However, disappointing retail sales numbers and a steep Peltz-induced sell-off in DuPont (NYSE:DD) shares proved too much for the blue-chip barometer. Elsewhere on the Street, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) followed in footsteps of the DJIA, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) managed to keep its head above water, in part because of a big M&A-related rally for this energy giant. Looking ahead to tomorrow's session, earnings from this Dow component and an update on inflation should hold investors' attention.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• Bulls set their sights on this cybersecurity firm and this smartphone maker amid speculation of possible bids from two blue chips.
• It was a down day for retailers, with J C Penney Company Inc (NYSE:JCP) and Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (NYSE:KORS) among the names tumbling in the wake of Macy's, Inc.'s (NYSE:M) dreary earnings report.
• In case you missed it, Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White explained why bulls should take heart in this indicator.
• Plus, the silver lining in a day full of uninspiring economic reports, Bill Gross' big heart, and 3 notable names headed to the earnings confessional.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 18,060.49) spent time on both sides of breakeven today, trading in a roughly 93-point range. By the time the closing bell rang, the 30-stock index had settled down 7.7 points, or 0.04%. Twenty of the Dow's 30 components gained ground today, led by Intel Corporation's (NASDAQ:INTC) 1.2% advance. DD paced the 10 decliners with its 6.8% drop.

It was a similar set-up for the S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,098.48), which hovered between gains and losses, before settling with a 0.6-point, or 0.03%, drop. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,981.69) outperformed its peers, adding 5.5 points, or 0.1%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 13.76) stalled out near its 40-day moving average, shedding 0.1 point, or 0.7%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

1. Retail sales were unchanged in April -- below expectations for a 0.2% rise -- dampening Wall Street's hope for a second-quarter rebound. Adding to the gloomy economic backdrop was a worse-than-expected reading on March business inventories. The one silver lining in the day's data was a 10th straight drop in import prices, which bolstered expectations that the Fed will delay raising interest rates. (Reuters; CNBC)
2. Bill Gross is giving away roughly $700 million to charity -- around 25% of his $2.7 billion net worth. While this is certainly generous, it pales in comparison to the amounts donated by Chuck Feeney, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and George Soros. (Bloomberg)
3. 3 notable names to have on your earnings watch list.
4. M&A news took the Street by storm, and Owens-Illinois Inc (NYSE:OI) and WhiteWave Foods Co (NYSE:WWAV) were two names caught up in the action.
5. The big decision looming over these 3 defense stocks.

Commodities:

Crude oil pulled back, as global oversupply fears -- fueled by an International Energy Agency report -- overshadowed a bigger-than-forecast drop in domestic inventories. At the close, June-dated crude was off 25 cents, or 0.4%, at $60.50 per barrel.

Today's lackluster economic data -- as well as a cooling dollar -- sent gold futures soaring. At session's end, gold for June delivery was up $25.80, or 2.2%, at $1,218.20 per ounce -- the malleable metal's highest close since early April.