The DJIA finally took back 18,000 amid rising energy prices
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) flirted with a third straight triple-digit gain -- securing its fourth consecutive daily win in the process -- and muscled atop the 18,000 millennium level, buoyed by expectations Greece's parliament will agree to the terms set forth in the bailout agreement. Rising energy prices on the heels of Iran's nuclear pact with the West, and an earnings win from this blue-chip bank, were also a boon to the bellwether, which managed to shake off a round of mixed domestic data. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) closed atop 2,100 for the first time since late June. Looking ahead, Wall Street will watch the developments in Europe, as well as Fed Chair Janet Yellen's two-day stint on Capitol Hill.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- 3 outperforming stocks that could burn short sellers.
- The big rumor that sent Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) to the moon.
- While optimism runs high on Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), short-term traders are anticipating downside for this drugmaker.
- Plus ... Domestic data mostly disappoints, Iranian nuclear deal comes under fire, and big news from Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL).
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 18,053.58) was up by close to 100 points at its intraday peak, and finished on a 75.9-point, or 0.4%, win -- its fourth straight. Twenty-one of the Dow's 30 components closed higher, paced by a 2.1% gain at UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:UNH). Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) each swallowed a 0.5% loss to pace the nine blue-chip decliners.
The
S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,108.95) tacked on 9.4 points, or 0.5%, to topple 2,100 for the first time since June 26. Similarly, the
Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 5,104.89) added 33.4 points, or 0.7%, to take out 5,100 for the first time on a closing basis since June 25.
The
CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 13.37) got smacked again, shedding 0.5 point, or 3.8%, for its lowest close since June 24.
5 Items on Our Radar Today:
- U.S. retail sales unexpectedly slipped 0.3% in June -- their first monthly decline in four. Additionally, sales for April and May were downwardly revised. Meanwhile, import prices edged 0.1% lower last month -- bringing their year-over-year drop to 10% -- and business inventories grew slightly less than expected. (MarketWatch)
- Iran has reached a nuclear deal with the West, which lifted sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation in exchange for limits on its atomic program. U.S. President Barack Obama expressed optimism that the deal will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon through a process of "verification." However, the deal is already generating criticism, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling the pact "a historic mistake for the world." (CNN)
- The catalysts behind GOOGL's strong session.
- These two mega-retailers are preparing to duke it out tomorrow.
- This solar stock continues to bounce back from recent losses, helped by bullish analyst attention.
Commodities:
Crude oil reversed higher after earlier losses, as the West's nuclear agreement with Iran will continue to place limits on crude exports. Also boosting liquid gold was the dollar, which weakened on retail sales. At the close, crude for August delivery was up 84 cents, or 1.6%, to settle at $53.04 per barrel.
Gold futures finished lower for a fourth straight session, ahead of Yellen's two-day testimony, which kicks off tomorrow -- and could offer signals about when the central bank will raise interest rates. August-dated gold lost $1.90, or 0.2%, to end at $1,153.50 per ounce.