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Dow Jones Industrial Average Dragged Down By GE; Nasdaq Streak Snapped

The VIX ended below 10 for a record seventh session

Managing Editor
Jul 21, 2017 at 4:27 PM
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) ended lower for the second straight session, weighed down by poorly received earnings from heavyweight General Electric. The S&P 500 Index (500) also finished lower today, but unlike the Dow, managed to win the week. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP) run finally ended, too, with the tech-rich index snapping a 10-day winning streak -- its longest in two years. Still, even as the collective risk appetite for stocks dulled a bit, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) closed below 10 for the seventh straight session, marking a new record.

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

  • Founder and CEO Bernie Schaeffer discusses betting on a euro rally.
  • How the FTC interrupted Amazon stock's momentum.
  • Analyst: This drug stock could rally 40%.
  • Plus, 3 stocks headed for record highs; Chipotle's nightmare week; and how options traders tripled their money.  

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 21,580.07) shed 31.7 points, or 0.2%. It dipped 0.3% for the week. Of the 30 Dow stocks, 11 ended positive, led by a 1.5% gain for Visa stock. General Electric was the biggest loser, dipping 2.9%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,472.54) shed 0.9 point, but gained 0.5% for the week. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 6,387.75) lost 2.2 points. It also gained 1.2% for the week.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 9.36) shed 0.2 point, or 2.3%, to end below 10 for the seventh straight session. For the week, the VIX fell 1.8%.

Closing Indexes Summary July 21
NYSE and Nasdaq July 21

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

  1. Sean Spicer put in his resignation as White House Press Secretary today, following reports of him disagreeing with President Trump on the hire of campaign fundraiser Anthony Scaramucci as the new communications director. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will take over for Spicer, Scaramucci said. (MarketWatch)
  2. Taxi company Lyft has launched a new self-driving car unit as part of its "Open Platform Initiative." Lyft said it will begin creating its own technology for autonomous driving, and predicted "several hundred" workers on the project by the end of next year. (CNBC)
  3. Analysts anticipate record highs for these stocks.
  4. Chipotle's nightmare week got worse.
  5. How options traders tripled their money on Stanley Black & Decker.

Corporate Earnings Report July 21
Unusual Options Activity July 21
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities

Oil prices fell today, amid reports that Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) supplies could increase by 145,00 barrels per day in July. September-dated crude futures settled 2.5%, or $1.15, lower at $45.59 per barrel. Black gold also turned lower for the week, dropping 1.7%.

Gold futures did not disappoint this week, closing at their highest point in close to a month, and notching a sixth straight gain. A still-fragile U.S. dollar helped August-dated futures rise 0.8%, or $9.40, to settle at $1,254.90 an ounce. This brought the weekly gain to 2.2%.

 
 

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