Apple, Merck, 'Brexit' Drag Dow Jones Industrial Average Lower

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) spent the day in the red, as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Merck & Co, Inc. (NYSE:MRK) led tech and healthcare stocks lower. Although "Brexit" campaigns are still suspended following the tragic murder of British Parliament member Jo Cox, investors remain cautious ahead of next week's referendum in the U.K. 

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

• Options traders are betting on a post-"Brexit" comeback for these 2 U.K ETFs next week. 
• This scandal-ridden financial stock received some unwanted analyst attention.
• Why GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) shorts might be getting nervous.
• Plus... Microsoft's newest investment, the casino stock the bulls are betting on, and the latest Viacom drama.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,675.16) finished the day down 57.9 points, or 0.3%. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) led the 12 Dow winners, with a gain of 1.3%. Of the 18 Dow losers, MRK came in the lowest, down 2.8%. Week-over-week, the Dow lost 1.1%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,071.22) also finished the day in the red, losing 6.8 points, or 0.3%. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP – 4,800.33) lost 44.6 points, or 0.9%, for the day. For the week, the SPX was down 1.2%, while the COMP plunged 1.9%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 19.41) made fractional gains, finishing up 0.2%. For the week, the VIX advanced 14%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today: 

1. While new home construction dipped 0.3% in May, building permits increased 0.7%, according to a Commerce Department report. (USA Today)
2. Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ:MSFT) latest trail-blazing endeavor. (Forbes)
3. Last-minute option traders swarmed Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL).
4. This casino stock has option bulls betting 10-to-1.
5. The latest Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB) saga shakeup.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

July-dated oil rose 3.8%, or $1.77, to finish the day at $47.98 per barrel. The Baker Hughes active rig count rose for the third consecutive week, but easing "Brexit" fears and a weakening dollar helped boost black gold. Week-over-week, oil fell 2.2%.

August-dated gold fell by 0.3%, or $3.60, to end the day at $1,294.80 an ounce, as investors took profits after a seven-session winning streak. For the week, the precious metal gained 1.5%.