ATVI and FCX were two of the best S&P stocks today
U.S. stocks rose again today, with the Dow posting another triple-digit victory. Mostly, the gains were fueled by the same tailwinds from Tuesday, namely the tentative budget deal to avoid a government shutdown, and potential flexibility for the March 1 trade deadline with China. Big days from Activision Blizzard (ATVI) and Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) guided the S&P 500 to another close above its 200-day moving average, while the Nasdaq also grabbed a win.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 25,543.27) closed up 117.5 points, or 0.5%, with 23 of 30 blue chips finishing in the black. Home Depot's (HD) 1.6% win lead the way, and the biggest decliner was Cisco Systems (CSCO), down 0.8% ahead of earnings.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,753.03) rose 8.3 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,420.38) managed to close up 5.8 points, or 0.1%.
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.65) also ended positive, up 0.2 point, or 1.4%.


5 Items on our Radar Today
- Google announced it's planning on investing $13 billion in data centers and other offices in the U.S. this year. The spending will take place in Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Virginia. (Reuters)
- Elsewhere in tech, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it was charging a former Apple (AAPL) attorney for insider trading. Also, Apple is reportedly planning on launching a streaming service in the coming months. (CNBC)
- Options traders are gearing up for this weed company's earnings reveal.
- Earnings sank this drug stock today.
- Inside an unusual VIX streak.


Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Oil Posts Another Winning Session
Oil prices again gained, thanks to Saudi Arabia's willingness to decrease crude exports. March-dated crude rose 80 cents, or 1.5%, to $53.90 per barrel, though gains were capped by another jump in weekly crude inventories.
Gold also rose again, marking a second straight win. April-dated gold closed up $1.10 at $1,315.10 an ounce.