The DJIA took a rare step back today, following underwhelming GDP data
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) snapped its streak of record highs -- suffering its first loss in 13 sessions -- as stocks struggled ahead of President Donald Trump's congressional speech tonight. Traders also digested a raft of economic data, including a slightly disappointing gross domestic product (GDP) reading. Still, the Dow hung on for its largest monthly percentage gain since November, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) had its best month since March -- the first time the broad-market index has ended both January and February higher since 2013.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- The 25 worst stocks to own in March.
- If past is precedent, it's time to buy this food ETF.
- Pre-earnings pessimism is piling up on these 3 retail stocks.
- Plus... 2 stocks to buy now, bulls line up for Dollar Tree, and Target tanks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 20,812.24) shed 25.2 points, or 0.1%. One-third of the Dow's 30 components advanced, led by The Coca-Cola Co's (NYSE:KO) 0.7% gain. Of the remaining 20 stocks, UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH) was flat, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE:WMT) paced the 19 losers, down 1.1%. On a monthly basis, though, the Dow added 4.8%.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,363.64) dropped 6.1 points, or 0.3%, but managed a monthly gain of 3.7%. Even worse off was the Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 5,825.44), which surrendered 36.5 points, or 0.6%, cutting its February advance to 3.8%. Still, the COMP has finished higher in four consecutive months for the first time since 2013.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 12.92) tacked on 0.8 point, or 6.9%, closing at its highest perch of the year. For the month, the market's "fear gauge" added 7.8%.
5 Items on Our Radar Today
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Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.A) is urging shareholders to
reject a proposal by the Nebraska Peace Foundation, which would recommend the firm divest itself of holdings related to fossil fuels. "The Board believes that Berkshire should not limit its universe of potential investments based upon complex social and moral issues," Berkshire said in a statement.
(Reuters)
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Amazon.com, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AMZN)
AWS S3 storage service
experienced an outage today, disrupting countless websites and apps. Amazon said it is still working to fix the problem, but failed to provide details.
(TechCrunch)
- Two retail stocks for your March portfolio.
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Call buyers are banking on another post-earnings pop for Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR).
- Breaking down Target Corporation's (NYSE:TGT) disastrous day.
Commodities
Oil gave up ground today amid fears that tomorrow's Energy Information Administration (EIA) report will reveal an eighth straight weekly build in crude inventories. April-dated crude futures gave up 4 cents to settle at $54.01 per barrel. Liquid gold gained 2.3% for all of February.
Gold cooled off today, snapping a three-day win streak, as investors awaited President Trump's remarks.Gold for April delivery surrendered $4.90, or 0.4%, to land at $1,253.90 per ounce. However, on a monthly basis, gold nabbed its second consecutive win, adding 3.5%.
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