Dow Jones Industrial Average Notches Fourth Straight Win

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) spent most of the day modestly higher, briefly touching the round-number 18,000 level before paring its lead. Despite relatively light volume ahead of the long holiday weekend, stocks notched their fourth straight day of gains, with help from encouraging manufacturing data and June auto sales. Against this backdrop, the Dow and S&P 500 Index (SPX) recovered nearly all of their post-"Brexit" losses to wrap up their best week of 2016. 

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

• The 25 worst stocks for July
• Analysts had no chill after the release of Netflix, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:NFLX) highly anticipated Nielsen ratings.
• ​The catalyst that sent Harley-Davidson Inc (NYSE:HOG) soaring -- and options volume to an annual high
• Plus... Hawkish Fed comments, Monster Beverage gets energized, and why one analyst thinks this M&A target is "grossly undervalued."
  

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 17,949.37) gained 19.4 points, or 0.1%, for its fourth day of gains. Home Depot Inc (NYSE:DD) ended up 1.5%, the most of the 17 Dow winners, while DuPont (NYSE:DD) shed 0.7% to bring up the rear among the 13 Dow losers. For the week, the Dow increased 3.2%, its largest weekly gain since November.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,102.95) managed to close above the key 2,100 level, gaining 4.1 points, or 0.2%, for the day, and finishing the week up 3.2% -- also enjoying its largest weekly gain since November. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,862.57) jumped 19.9 points, or 0.4%. For the week, the COMP ended up 3.3%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX – 14.77) slid 0.9 point, or 5.5%. Week-over-week, the VIX dropped a whopping 42.6%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today: 

1. Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester made some hawkish comments at a speech in London, saying that waiting too long for an interest rate hike could jeopardize financial stability. Mester seemed confident in continued U.S. economic growth, and said an interest rate hike in the near future could be beneficial, although she did not lay out a timetable. (CNBC) 
2. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index jumped to its highest level since February 2015, for its fourth straight month of growth. ​(MarketWatch)
3. Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc (NYSE:VRX) puts flew off the shelves after the company called it quits on a licensing agreement.
4. Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ:MNST) shares keep surging, but skeptics aren't buying the hype.

5. Why one analyst thinks SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) is "grossly undervalued."

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

August-dated crude oil added 66 cents, or 1.4%, to end the day at $48.99 per barrel. A falling dollar boosted oil prices, but a bump in the Baker-Hughes oil rig count kept prices in check. For the week, oil prices gained 2.8%. Meanwhile, natural gas for August delivery surged to $2.987 per million British thermal units, marking a new annual high.

August-dated gold was up $18.40, or 0.1%, to $1,339.00 per ounce -- a near two-year high. A falling dollar and some hawkish Fed comments boosted the precious metal. For the week, gold gained 1.3%. Silver for September delivery, meanwhile, enjoyed its best week in nearly three years, rallying 10.1% to $19.59 an ounce.