The DJIA battled back with a late-day surge, but still suffered its first weekly loss in six weeks
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) spent most of the day deep in the red, but managed to claw higher in late-session trading. Still, stocks' upside was limited during a session dominated by the
dollar's surge and sinking oil and gold prices. What's more, rate-hike talk was
again prevalent, due to
hawkish comments from St. Louis Fed President James Bullard. Though the holiday-shortened week -- and the
Dow's weekly win streak -- has come to an end, traders now await tomorrow's
final reading on fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP).
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,515.73) rode a late-session surge to a 13.1-point, or 0.1%, win. Sixteen of the 30 Dow components managed gains, led by Caterpillar Inc.'s (NYSE:CAT) 2.2% advance. Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) was the biggest loser again, down 1.3%, as it continues to edge lower after its earnings release. The Dow closes the week down 0.5%, its first weekly loss in the past six.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,035.94) also snapped a five-week win streak, falling 0.8 point, or 0.04%. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,773.51) said goodbye to a five-week win streak, although the tech-heavy index managed a 4.6-point, or 0.1%, win on the day. For the week, the SPX dropped 0.7%, while the COMP gave back 0.5%.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 14.74) dropped 0.2 point, or 1.3%, ending the week 5.1% higher -- the first weekly win for the "fear gauge" in six weeks.
5 Items on Our Radar Today:
-
Another Fed official has spoken up about a potential rate hike in the near future. St. Louis Fed President James Bullard this morning stated that the next rate increase
"may not be far off," should the economy continue to improve. (
CNBC)
-
Speaking of the economy, durable good orders dropped by 2.8% in February. However, economists were expected a 2.9% decline, with many pointing to a stronger dollar as a primary reason for the dip. However, orders for so-called core capital goods fell 1.8%, compared to expectations for a 0.1% drop. (Reuters)
-
How a judge helped Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) and Office Depot Inc (NASDAQ:ODP) to big wins.
-
Could these 3 stocks be under-the-radar gems?
-
Why this Apple supplier may be due for a bounce.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Commodities:
Like the Dow, crude oil futures settled lower on the week for the first time in six weeks. The May-dated contract finished 33 cents, or 0.8%, lower at $39.46 per barrel, as a stronger dollar and yesterday's troubling inventory report overshadowed a weekly drop in active oil rigs. For the week, May crude fell 4.1%.
Elsewhere, gold futures suffered their third straight weekly loss, also hurt by the dollar. At the close, April-dated gold was down $2.40, or 0.2%, at $1,221.60 per ounce. For the week, gold futures dropped 2.6%.