Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P Swallowed by Retail Sell-Off

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) plunged out of the gate, giving back all of yesterday's big gains by the time the closing bell mercifully rang. Pressuring the Dow to a 217-point loss was an unusual earnings miss from blue-chip Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS), as well as a sector-related slump for retail stock Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). What's more, a series of negative earnings reactions from the retail sector -- as well as a big-time merger breakup -- caused the S&P 500 Index (SPX) to snap its three-day winning streak. In fact, not even rallying crude futures could save stocks, while another big day for Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) failed to boost the Nasdaq Composite (COMP).

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

• The SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) could be poised for another wild day after these 3 retailers unveil earnings.
• Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) shrugged off today's Model 3 drama. 
• What had these 2 small-cap stocks making big moves?
• Plus ... Wal-Mart brings the hammer down on Visa, another bombing retailer, and Wall Street waxes optimistic on gold. 
  

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,711.12) ended near its session low, giving back 217.2 points, or 1.2%. The only Dow component in the green at the end of the day was Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), which eked out a 0.06% win. DIS paced the 29 losers with its 4% post-earnings slide. 

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,064.46) joined the losers table with a 19.9-point, or 1%, loss. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,760.69) closed the day down 49.2 points, or 1%. 

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 14.69) added 1.1 points, or 7.8%. 

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

1. The U.S. government posted a $106 billion surplus in its April budget, according to the Treasury Department. However, this was below expectations -- and a 32% decrease from April 2015. Additionally, receipts last month declined by 7% year-over-year. (Reuters)
2. Wal-Mart is suing fellow Dow component Visa Inc (NYSE:V) over the proper check-out protocol for customers using credit and debit cards. WMT wants customers to enter a pin when using a new chip debit card --- a less expensive option than the signature verification V has been allowing. Both stocks finished in the red today. (USA Today)
3. How these 3 biotech stocks caught Wall Street's eye. 
4. Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF) couldn't avoid the retail swoon. 
5. The gold stocks getting upgraded across the Street. 

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

An unexpected drop in domestic crude inventories helped lift June-dated crude futures $1.57, or 3.5%, to $46.23 per barrel. This was the best close for a front-month crude contract since early November. 

Gold futures also rose today, as the dollar took a rare step back. Gold dated for June delivery added $10.70, or 0.9%, to land at $1,275.50 per ounce. 

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