Dow Jones Industrial Average Extends Worst Weekly Losing Streak Since 2014

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) spent the day in the black, as traders managed to shake off some of the Fed rate-hike fears that have weighed on stocks for the past two days. However, while a lift in existing home sales for April initially helped boost the Dow to a triple-digit lead, the index pared its gains in afternoon trading, extending its longest weekly losing streak since October 2014. 

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

• Environmentalists are outraged at why this oil-and-gas stock is on the rise.
• Option bulls bombarded these 2 biotechs ahead of a major FDA decision -- and some traders expect one to double in the short term.
• This retailer's CEO said last quarter was "unacceptable."
• Plus ... Samsung takes aim at Apple, lofty projections for one Dow stock, and why option bears blitzed Nike.
  
  

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,500.94) ended the day up 65.5 points, or 0.4%. Of the 21 DJIA winners, DuPont (NYSE:DD) led with a 2.1% increase, while McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) brought up the rear with its 2.2% loss. On a weekly basis, the Dow shed 0.2%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,052.32) also finished ahead -- up 12.3 points, or 0.6% -- while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP – 4,769.56) added 57 points, or 1.2%. For the week, the SPX rose 0.3%, while the COMP jumped 1.1%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 15.20) fell 1.1 points, or 6.9%. Week-over-week, the market's "fear gauge" added 1.1%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

1. Samsung is partnering with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's (NYSE:BABA) Alipay to take on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in the fight for China's payment services market. (CNBC)

2. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) closed down, after the company's downwardly revised guidance overshadowed a fiscal second-quarter beat. (Fortune)

3. Analysts think this surging Dow stock could reach 15-year highs.

4. Option bears bombarded Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE).

5. 2 tech stocks feeling the post-earnings love from analysts.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

June-dated crude futures slipped 41 cents, or 0.9%, to end the day at $47.75 per barrel, as the domestic oil rig count held steady after declining for eight straight weeks, and the U.S. dollar strengthened. For the week, however, oil prices jumped 3.3%.

The stronger dollar also weighed on June-dated gold, which fell $1.90, or 0.2%, to finish the week at $1,252.90 an ounce. Week-over-week, gold lost 1.6% -- its second consecutive weekly loss.