The DJIA spent the day swimming in red ink, as economic data disappointed and blue-chip stocks fell
The
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down nearly 180 points at its intraday low, as
sharp losses for a trio of blue-chip stocks and a
lackluster round of economic data applied pressure. However, the Dow managed to significantly pare its deficit by the close, and hang on for a third consecutive monthly win. Meanwhile, as stocks struggled, gold kept its hot streak going, while the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) jumped to levels not seen since mid-March -- and closed just below its 50-day moving average.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,773.64) gave up 57.1 points, or 0.3%. Just eight blue chips advanced, led by Home Depot Inc's (NYSE:HD) 0.9% gain. Meanwhile, Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) was flat, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) paced the 21 losers, shedding 3%. The Dow finished on a weekly loss of 1.3%, but picked up 0.5% on the month.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,065.30) dipped 10.5 points, or 0.5%. On a weekly basis, the SPX dropped 1.2%, but held on for a 0.3% April advance. Worst off, the Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,775.36) shed 29.9 points, or 0.6%. For the week and month, the COMP surrendered 2.7% and 1.9%, respectively.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 15.70) popped 0.5 point, or 3.2%, bringing its weekly gain to 18.8%. On a monthly basis, the market's "fear gauge" soared 12.5%.
5 Items on Our Radar Today:
- Paychecks are stagnating while healthcare costs rise, found the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent employment cost index. (CNBC)
- Consumer sentiment hit a seven-month low in April, and expectations for economic growth plummeted into territory not seen since September 2014, according to the latest Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey. (Bloomberg)
- Rovi Corporation (NASDAQ:ROVI) finally confirmed rumors of a TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ:TIVO) buyout and edged just a little closer to closing its April 1 bear gap.
- Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) jumped more than 8% after a pleasant earnings surprise.
- One online retailer surged out of the gate after astonishing quarterly results.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Commodities:
Oil prices hit a year-to-date high of $46.78, but finished in the red after media surveys revealed a monthly production uptick from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). June-dated crude futures lost 11 cents, or 0.2%, to land at $45.92 per barrel. For the week and month, though, crude oil soared 5% and 19.8%, respectively.
Gold rallied for a fifth consecutive session, as the dollar weakened and the broad-market sell-off sparked interest in "safe haven" assets. Specifically, June-dated gold popped $24.10, or 1.9%, to settle at $1,290.50 per ounce -- while spot gold hit a 15-month high of $1,299 an ounce. On a weekly basis, gold surged 4.9%, and tacked on 4.4% for the month.
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