Stocks Finish Lower As Apple Suffers Worst Day Since August

Oil prices soared to their highest since June 2015, after a pipeline explosion

Managing Editor
Dec 26, 2017 at 4:26 PM
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) finished lower today, dragged down by Apple's (AAPL) worst session since August. Both the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) also finished in the red, despite a solid day from retail stocks. Energy stocks also had a good day, after a pipeline explosion in Libya sent oil prices to a two-and-a-half-year high. Still, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) -- or Wall Street's "fear gauge" -- marked its highest close in nearly two weeks.

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

  • 2 blue-chip stocks to buy now.
  • The chip stock struggling on iPhone X concerns.
  • The drug stock that moved on M&A buzz.
  • Plus, trouble ahead for VZ stock; a natural gas stock ready to explode; and 2 Apple suppliers that got drilled.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 24,746.21) finished 7.9 points lower. Home Depot (HD) led 16 Dow stocks higher with its 1.2% win, while AAPL paced the 16 decliners with its 2.5% loss.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,680.50) finished 2.8 points, or 0.1%, lower. The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 6,936.25) lost 23.7 points, or 0.3%. 

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 10.25) gained 0.4 point, or 3.5%.

 

Closing Indexes Summary Dec 26

NYSE and Nasdaq Dec 26

5 Items on Our Radar Today

  1. After falling to a low of $10,400 on Friday, bitcoin mounted an impressive recovery today, adding more than 12.5% at one point. The digital currency has now recovered more than 50% from Friday's low, though Coinbase reported continued transaction delays. (CNBC
  2. U.S home prices increased by an impressive 6.2% year-over-year in October, rising by the most since 2014, according to the S&P Case-Shiller national index. However, the prices are growing at a rate that is outpacing wage growth, raising concerns about affordability. (Bloomberg)
  3. Why Verizon (VZ) stock could struggle next week.
  4. The energy stock that could kick off 2018 with a bang.
  5. 2 Apple suppliers that got crushed.

 

There are no quarterly earnings to report.

Unusual Options Activity Dec 26
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities

Crude slated for February delivery climbed $1.50, or 2.6%, to close at $59.97 per barrel, the best close since June 2015. An explosion at a pipeline in Libya sparked the surge, which briefly took black gold above $60 per barrel.

February-dated gold futures added $8.70, or 0.7%, to settle at $1,287.50 an ounce -- a three-week high. A struggling dollar lifted the safe-haven asset.

 

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