NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -238 points or ▼ -1.14% on Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,668.01 ▼ -237.85 ▼ -1.14% .
Nasdaq____ 5,793.83 ▼ -107.70 ▼ -1.83% .
S&P_500___ 2,344.02 ▼ -29.45 ▼ -1.24% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.05 ▼ -0.04 ▼ -1.29% .

NYSE Volume 4,264,743,500
Nasdaq Volume 111,689,744,000

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,378.34 ▼ -51.47 ▼ -0.69% .
DAX_____ 11,962.13 ▼ -90.77 ▼ -0.75% .
CAC_40__ 5,002.43 ▼ -9.73 ▼ -0.19% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,819.50 ▼ -1.00 ▼ -0.02% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,261.61 ▲ 10.80 ▲ 0.33% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,972.49 ▲ 59.52 ▲ 0.60% .
Nikkei_225___ 19,455.88 ▼ -65.71 ▼ -0.34% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,593.12 ▲ 91.13 ▲ 0.37% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,158.57 ▼ -7.13 ▼ -0.23% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,085.54 ▲ 28.49 ▲ 0.40% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/slight-losses-us-stocks-early-142349463.html

Banks nosedive as Trump health care speedbump tanks stocks

MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks took their biggest loss in five months Tuesday as a health care bill backed by President Donald Trump ran into trouble in Congress, which raised some questions about his agenda of faster economic growth spurred on by lower taxes and cuts in regulations.

Banks plunged as bond yields continued to fall, which will mean lower interest rates on loans. Transportation companies including airlines, railroads and rental car companies dropped, and so did materials companies like steel and chemicals makers. The dollar weakened. Small-company stocks, which stand to benefit the most from Trump's policy proposals of lower taxes and looser regulations, fell more than the rest of the market.

"President Trump promised that this health care bill would be signed, sealed, delivered within the first couple of weeks of him taking office," said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer for BMO Capital Markets. "All this is doing is pushing the rest of the agenda out."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index tumbled 29.45 points, or 1.1 percent, to 2,344.02. That was its biggest drop since Oct. 11. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 237.85 points, or 1.1 percent, to 20,668.01.

The Nasdaq composite surrendered 107.70 points, or 1.8 percent, to 5,793.83. The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks plunged 37.55 points, or 2.7 percent, to 1,346.55. Four-fifths of the stocks on the New York Stock Exchange fell.

Stocks have fallen for four days in a row, though the previous losses were small. Tuesday's losses were a reversal of the patterns that have endured since Trump was elected in November, but overall stocks are still sharply higher since then.

On Thursday the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Republican-backed American Health Care Act, and despite support from the president on Tuesday, it's not clear if the House or the Senate will approve the bill. The administration hopes to get a major tax reform package to Congress by August, and a big infrastructure spending proposal may follow next year.

Banks had their worst day in nine months as bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note declined to 2.42 percent from 2.46 percent. Bank of America fell $1.42, or 5.8 percent, to $23.02. KeyCorp sank $1.18, or 6.5 percent, to $16.90, the biggest loss in the S&P 500. JPMorgan Chase gave up $2.64, or 2.9 percent, to $87.39. Still, banks have done far better than the rest of the market since the election.

Among transportation companies, United Continental lost $2.21, or 3.3 percent, to $65.28 and railroad operator CSX declined $1.26, or 2.7 percent, to $45.62. Hertz Global skidded $1.86, or 8.7 percent, to $19.40. Companies that make steel, chemicals, and other basic materials also slid. AK Steel plunged 86 cents, or 10.4 percent, to $7.51 and U.S. Steel lost $3.34, or 9 percent, to $33.76.

The price of copper also dropped. The metal's price tends to rise when investors are more optimistic about the economy, and copper has risen 14 percent over the last year. It sank 5 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $2.62 a pound on Tuesday.

Big-dividend companies, especially utilities, did well. Investors often buy those stocks when bond yields are falling. Dominion Resources rose $1.38, or 1.8 percent, to $78.21 and PPL gained 67 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $37.47. Some household goods makers also rose. Jack Daniel's whisky maker Brown-Forman climbed 47 cents, or 1 percent, to $47.28.

Kate Warne, an investment strategist for Edward Jones, said investors are taking some profits after the market's long post-election winning streak, but noted that Wall Street is especially eager for the administration's tax reform proposals.

"I think investors see (corporate tax reform) as more important in terms of supporting the stock market even if it's not as important in terms of its effect on the economy" as health care, she said.

Food companies fell after General Mills posted a better-than-expected profit but weaker sales. The Cheerios maker faces more competitive pricing and a market that has been shifting demand from processed foods. Its stock dipped 50 cents to $59.76, and Kellogg shed $1.38, or 1.8 percent, to $73.60. Campbell Soup gave up $1.91 or 3.2 percent, to $57.09.

Benchmark U.S. crude lost 88 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $47.34 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, closed down 66 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $50.96 a barrel in London.

The price of gold jumped $12.50, or 1 percent, to $1,246.50 an ounce. Silver gained 15 cents to $17.58 an ounce.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline lost 1 cent to $1.61 a gallon. Heating oil dipped 1 cent to $1.50 a gallon. Natural gas rose 5 cents, or 1.7 percent, to $3.09 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The dollar slipped to 111.90 yen from 112.58 yen. The euro rose to $1.0804 from $1.0733.

The DAX of Germany fell 1.1 percent and the British FTSE 100 lost 0.6 percent. France's CAC 40 made big early gains after a debate between the nation's candidates for president, but it finished 0.5 percent lower. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 0.3 percent. The Kospi in South Korea rose 1 percent and in Hong Kong the Hang Seng rose 0.4 percent

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -6.7 points or ▼ -0.03% on Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,661.30 ▼ -6.71 ▼ -0.03% .
Nasdaq____ 5,821.64 ▲ 27.82 ▲ 0.48% .
S&P_500___ 2,348.45 ▲ 4.43 ▲ 0.19% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.01 ▼ -0.04 ▼ -1.28% .

NYSE Volume 3,541,977,500
Nasdaq Volume 1,962,365,750

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,324.72 ▼ -53.62 ▼ -0.73% .
DAX_____ 11,904.12 ▼ -58.01 ▼ -0.48% .
CAC_40__ 4,994.70 ▼ -7.73 ▼ -0.15% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,732.00 ▼ -87.50 ▼ -1.50% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,245.22 ▼ -16.39 ▼ -0.50% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,922.66 ▼ -49.83 ▼ -0.50% .
Nikkei_225___ 19,041.38 ▼ -414.50 ▼ -2.13% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,320.41 ▼ -272.71 ▼ -1.11% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,118.19 ▼ -40.38 ▼ -1.28% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,060.83 ▼ -24.71 ▼ -0.35% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stocks-slip-further-steep-141951705.html

Indexes inch back upward as tech stocks rise; Nike plunges

MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — After a shaky start, U.S. stocks finished mostly higher Wednesday as technology and industrial companies rose. Banks fell with interest rates as the market came off its biggest loss in five months.

Stocks started lower, then rallied around midday and wandered between gains and losses for several hours before a late-afternoon push.

Technology companies led the market, as they've done throughout this year. Gains for shipping company FedEx helped take industrial companies upward. Nike took its biggest one-day loss in five years as investors were disappointed by its quarterly sales and outlook, and 130-year-old retailer Sears plunged after it said it may not be able to stay in business.

A day ago stocks dropped as Wall Street wondered if key aspects of President Donald Trump's agenda, such as tax cuts and increased infrastructure spending will be delayed. The Republican-backed American Health Care Act appeared to be in trouble ahead of a House of Representatives vote on Thursday.

Terry Simpson, a multi-asset strategist for BlackRock, says it's noteworthy that even though the bill's fate is unclear, stocks didn't fall any further on Wednesday.

"The market really wants to believe in the new administration," he said. But if the bill falters in the House on Thursday or the Senate later on, investors will have "increased doubt in the ability to pass the pro-growth agenda."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index picked up 4.43 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,348.45. Nike dragged down the Dow Jones industrial average, which fell 6.71 points to 20,661.30. The Nasdaq composite rose 27.82 points, or 0.5 percent, to 5,821.64. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies sank 0.95 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,345.60.

Apple gained $1.58, or 1.1 percent, to $141.42 and Microsoft rose 82 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $65.03 while chipmaker Nvidia added $2.16, or 2 percent, to $108.07. The S&P 500's technology index is up 11 percent in 2017, more than double the gain for the broader S&P 500.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.40 percent from 2.42 percent. Lower bond yields mean lower interest rates, and those reduce the profits banks can make from lending.

Investors snapped up high-dividend utilities and real estate investment trusts as bond yields fell. Exelon picked up 34 cents to $36.30 and Consolidated Edison gained 77 cents, or 1 percent, to $78.11. Utilities are the best-performing part of the S&P 500 over the last month.

Sears said in a regulatory filing that there is "substantial doubt" it will be able to remain in business. In recent years the parent company of Sears and Kmart has closed more than 2,000 stores and slashed spending and jobs, and it has sold brands and split off its real estate assets to raise cash. The company continues to lose billions a year as its sales fall further. It said pension agreements may prevent it from spinning off other businesses.

The stock has already been trading near all-time lows and lost $1.12, or 12.3 percent, to $7.98 Wednesday. The company's real estate investment trust, Seritage, lost 92 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $42.63.

Nike reported slightly disappointing third-quarter sales, and its forecasts for the current period displeased investors as well. Nike's stock fell $4.09, or 7.1 percent, to $53.92, its biggest loss since June 2012. Nike is up this year but hasn't recovered from a 19 percent tumble in 2016. Investors have worried about Nike's intense competition with rivals Under Armour and Adidas.

While shipping company FedEx didn't have a great holiday season, its revenue was a bit better than expected and analysts said they think its business is going to improve. Its stock rose $4.08, or 2.1 percent, to $195.92. Railroad and airplane companies also climbed.

Oil prices continued to fall after the U.S. government said fuel stockpiles grew more than expected last week. U.S. crude lost 20 cents to $48.04 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, fell 32 cents to $50.64 a barrel in London.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline remained at $1.60 a gallon. Heating oil lost 1 cent to $1.50 a gallon. Natural gas sank 8 cents, or 2.7 percent, to $3.01 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The price of gold rose for the fifth day in a row. It edged up $3.20 to $1,249.70 an ounce. Silver fell less than 1 cent to $17.58 an ounce. Copper rose 1 cent to $1.63 a pound.

The dollar slipped to 110.92 yen from 111.90 yen. The euro dipped to $1.0798 from $1.0804.

Stocks overseas finished lower. The British FTSE 100 index fell 0.7 percent. The German DAX fell 0.5 percent and the CAC 40 in France dropped 0.2 percent. In Japan the Nikkei 225 stock index fell 2.1 percent as the yen strengthened compared to the dollar, which hurts Japanese exporters. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong dropped 1.1 percent and the South Korea's Kospi lost 0.5 percent.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -4.7 points or ▼ -0.02% on Thursday, March 23, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,656.58 ▼ -4.72 ▼ -0.02% .
Nasdaq____ 5,817.69 ▼ -3.95 ▼ -0.07% .
S&P_500___ 2,345.96 ▼ -2.49 ▼ -0.11% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.03 ▲ 0.02 ▲ 0.50% .

NYSE Volume 3,257,096,250
Nasdaq Volume 1,756,739,380

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,340.71 ▲ 15.99 ▲ 0.22% .
DAX_____ 12,039.68 ▲ 135.56 ▲ 1.14% .
CAC_40__ 5,032.76 ▲ 38.06 ▲ 0.76% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,754.00 ▲ 22.00 ▲ 0.38% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,248.55 ▲ 3.33 ▲ 0.10% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,930.74 ▲ 8.08 ▲ 0.08% .
Nikkei_225___ 19,085.31 ▲ 43.93 ▲ 0.23% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,327.70 ▲ 7.29 ▲ 0.03% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,126.93 ▲ 8.74 ▲ 0.28% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,062.55 ▲ 1.72 ▲ 0.02% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/banks-lead-stocks-higher-health-151203093.html

Stock rally sputters after vote on health bill is delayed

MARLEY JAY
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — After a promising start, U.S. stock indexes gave up an early rally and ended mostly lower Thursday after Republicans delayed a vote on their health care bill and left investors concerned about delays for the business-friendly agenda of President Donald Trump.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose as much as 96 points just before 1 p.m., but doubts about the bill cast a shadow over the market as hardline conservatives said they didn't support it. Health care stocks turned lower.

Elsewhere, a growing boycott of YouTube advertising hurt Alphabet, Google's parent company. Smaller companies did better than the rest of the market and more stocks rose than fell, a sign investors are still confident in the U.S. economy.

Near the close of trading, House Republican leadership postponed a vote on the American Health Care Act because of a lack of support. Conservatives and more moderate Republicans had opposing concerns about the bill, which is widely disliked by House Democrats.

Jamie Cox, managing partner for Harris Financial Group, said investors are worried about how the Republican-controlled Congress and White House will come together on issues including tax reform, a debt ceiling increase, and a boost in infrastructure spending.

"If the Republicans are having such a difficult time making changes to something they universally agree upon, how on earth are they going to agree on the more complicated tax cut that is coming through later in the year?" Cox asked. Still, the losses were small, suggesting investors think some of those proposals will be delayed rather than abandoned.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 2.49 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,345.96. The Dow lost 4.72 points to 20,656.58. The Nasdaq composite slid 3.95 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,817.69. The Russell 2000 index, which tracks smaller companies, gained 7.83 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,353.43.

Bond prices edged lower. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which has skidded over the last few days, rose to 2.42 percent from 2.40 percent. That modest increase gave banks and other financial companies a lift.

The S&P 500 banking index had plunged 5 percent over the previous four days as bond yields and interest rates decreased. Banks turned higher on Thursday. SunTrust Banks added 67 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $54.85 and Huntington Bancshares rose 24 cents, or 1.9 percent, to $13.02.

Alphabet fell as a YouTube advertising boycott spread. Companies including Johnson & Johnson, AT&T and Verizon have suspended their YouTube ad campaigns in the last week because their ads were appearing alongside offensive videos, including some that promoted terrorism. The ads are placed automatically and Google has said it will do more to block offensive videos. YouTube is one of the fastest-growing parts of Google's ad system.

Alphabet lost $10.15, or 1.2 percent, to $839.65. Technology companies lagged the rest of the market. Alphabet is the second-most valuable company on the S&P 500 after Apple.

Companies that run Medicaid programs, like Centene and Molina Healthcare, stumbled in afternoon trading and health insurance companies like UnitedHealth and Humana took small losses. Drug companies also fell. Hospital operators traded higher, as did medical device makers.

Cox, of Harris Financial, said stocks probably won't fall much further if the bill ultimately fails because investors will focus on other items on Trump's agenda.

"The market doesn't care a bit about the health care legislation," he said.

PVH, which owns Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, jumped after its fourth-quarter profit and sales topped analyst estimates. It said sales for the Hilfiger brand grew in the latest quarter and its business is doing well in spite of high discounts in the U.S. The stock gained $7.70, or 8.5 percent, to $98.55.

Discount retailer Five Below also climbed after it surpassed Wall Street projections in its fourth quarter. The stock rose $4.12, or 10.8 percent, to $42.25. Retailers have struggled in recent months, but consumer-focused companies did better than the broader market on Thursday. Nike, which plunged 7 percent a day earlier, recovered $1.45, or 2.7 percent, to $55.37.

U.S. crude oil lost 34 cents to $47.70 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, slipped 8 cents to $50.56 a barrel in London. That pulled energy companies lower.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline fell 1 cent to $1.59 a gallon. Heating oil lost 1 cent to$1.49 a gallon. Natural gas rose 4 cents to $3.05 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Gold fell $2.50 to $1,247.20 an ounce, which ended a small five-day streak of gains. Silver rose 2 cents to $17.59 an ounce. Copper picked up 1 cent to $2.64 a pound.

The dollar inched up to 111.07 yen from 110.92 yen. The euro slid to $1.0786 from $1.0798.

Germany's DAX jumped 1.1 percent and the CAC 40 in France rose 0.8 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 index added 0.2 percent. In Japan the Nikkei 225 gained 0.2 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was flat and the South Korean Kospi gained 0.2 percent.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -60 points or ▼ -0.29% on Friday, March 24, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,596.72 ▼ -59.86 ▼ -0.29% .
Nasdaq____ 5,828.74 ▲ 11.04 ▲ 0.19% .
S&P_500___ 2,343.98 ▼ -1.98 ▼ -0.08% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.00 ▼ -0.02 ▼ -0.79% .

NYSE Volume 2,966,041,750
Nasdaq Volume 1,887,482,750

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,336.82 ▼ -3.89 ▼ -0.05% .
DAX_____ 12,064.27 ▲ 24.59 ▲ 0.20% .
CAC_40__ 5,020.90 ▼ -11.86 ▼ -0.24% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,796.10 ▲ 42.10 ▲ 0.73% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,269.45 ▲ 20.90 ▲ 0.64% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,902.98 ▼ -27.76 ▼ -0.28% .
Nikkei_225___ 19,262.53 ▲ 177.22 ▲ 0.93% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,358.27 ▲ 30.57 ▲ 0.13% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,142.90 ▲ 15.97 ▲ 0.51% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,073.83 ▲ 11.28 ▲ 0.16% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-st...uncertain-health-care-142230365--finance.html

Stocks wobble, finish mixed as GOP pulls plug on health bill

MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks flirted with sharp losses but managed a mixed finish after Republicans canceled a vote on their health care bill because it became clear the bill would fail. Investors didn't trade much as they waited for answers about the state of President Donald Trump's business-friendly agenda.

For the second day in a row, stocks started higher and wilted as it became clear the health care bill was in trouble. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged as much as 126 points in afternoon trading on reports of the bill's impending failure, although Wall Street cut its losses after the vote was canceled. Consumer-focused companies like Nike, Starbucks and clothing company PVH rose.

The health care act became something of a proxy for the rest of the Trump agenda and it dominated the market for most of this week. It was the week run for stocks since the week before the presidential election. Banks and small-company stocks, which made huge gains after Trump was elected, both suffered their biggest losses in more than a year.

President Trump and other Republican leaders said they were moving on from health care, and Michael Scanlon, a portfolio manager for Manulife Asset Management, said investors will be glad if that happens.

"You're going to see a very quick pivot to corporate tax reform," he said. A corporate tax cut could give stocks a large boost by increasing profits, and it might also raise tax revenue. After the close of trading, House Speaker Paul Ryan said Republicans will proceed with tax reform proposals, but acknowledged the health care debacle will make that task more difficult.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index finished down 1.98 points, or 0.1 percent, at 2,343.98. The Dow lost 59.86 points, or 0.3 percent, to 20,596.72 as Goldman Sachs and Boeing sank. Technology companies inched higher and the Nasdaq composite rose 11.04 points, or 0.2 percent, to 5,828.74. The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks added 1.22 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,354.64.

Trading was relatively quiet, which may have contributed to the big fluctuations.

Hospitals and insurers that do a lot of business with Medicaid celebrated the demise of the bill. HCA Holdings, the largest U.S. hospital company, climbed $2.87, or 3.5 percent, to $86.04 and Community Health Systems jumped 84 cents, or 9.7 percent, to $9.54. Among Medicaid-focused companies, Centene and Molina Healthcare each gained about 5 percent.

The American Health Care Act would likely have left more Americans uninsured and would make big changes to Medicaid, a joint federal-state health program for low-income Americans. Those stocks fell when it was introduced those stocks fell because investors were concerned hospitals would have to take in more patients who lack insurance and that insurers would get less money from Medicaid.

With the 2010 Affordable Care Act alive for another day, insurance companies slumped. Cigna fell $3.36, or 2.3 percent, to $142.82 and Anthem shed $2.63, or 1.6 percent, to $126.77.

With Trump and majority Republicans unable to pass the first big item on their agenda, there were some signs of concern that his proposals of tax cuts, infrastructure spending, and regulatory cuts will take longer. Those are aspects of Trump's proposed agenda Wall Street is excited about.

Vulcan Materials, a construction materials maker, sank $2.65, or 2.3 percent, to $112.74. Steel maker Nucor declined $1.50, or 2.4 percent, to $59.76. Construction and machinery companies also stumbled. Engine maker Cummins shed $1.45, or 1 percent, to $150.77 and Boeing sank $1.44 to $175.82.

Scanlon, of Manulife, said investors want Trump and Congress to come up with a real proposal that changes corporate taxes.

"Something needs to be done with a permanent solution, not just one of these holiday things," he said, because "the goal is to be a stimulus for domestic investment."

Bond prices rose slightly. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.41 percent from 2.42 percent.

U.S. crude oil futures rose 27 cents to $47.97 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, added 24 cents to $50.80 a barrel in London.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline gained 2 cents to $1.60 a gallon. Heating oil rose 1 cent to $1.50 a gallon. Natural gas added 3 cents to $3.08 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The dollar inched down to 110.80 yen from 111.07 yen. The euro edged up to $1.0808 from $1.0786.

Gold rose $1.30 to $1,248.50 an ounce. Silver jumped 16 cents to $17.75 an ounce. Copper lost 1 cent to $2.63 a pound.

In Germany, the DAX added 0.2 percent and the French CAC 40 dropped 0.2 percent and Britain's FTSE 100 index dipped 0.1 percent. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.9 percent following recent losses. The Kospi of South Korea shed 0.2 percent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng reversed earlier losses to finish 0.1 percent higher.

3329

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -46 points or ▼ -0.22% on Monday, March 27, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,550.98 ▼ -45.74 ▼ -0.22% .
Nasdaq____ 5,840.37 ▲ 11.64 ▲ 0.20% .
S&P_500___ 2,341.59 ▼ -2.39 ▼ -0.10% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.98 ▼ -0.02 ▼ -0.77% .

NYSE Volume 3,226,657,750
Nasdaq Volume 1,701,970,380

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,293.50 ▼ -43.32 ▼ -0.59% .
DAX_____ 11,996.07 ▼ -68.20 ▼ -0.57% .
CAC_40__ 5,017.43 ▼ -3.47 ▼ -0.07% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,789.20 ▼ -6.90 ▼ -0.12% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,266.96 ▼ -2.49 ▼ -0.08% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,876.77 ▼ -26.21 ▼ -0.26% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,985.59 ▼ -276.94 ▼ -1.44% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,193.70 ▼ -164.57 ▼ -0.68% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,126.88 ▼ -16.02 ▼ -0.51% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,062.71 ▼ -11.12 ▼ -0.16% .

http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d2...l Markets/id-8fac697626f74427a0cc720011edb3f4

Stocks sink early on Washington worries before paring losses
By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Worries that Washington may not be able to help businesses as much as once thought knocked stock indexes down hard early Monday, but they clawed back most of their losses and ended the day mixed.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 2.39 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,341.59 for its seventh drop in the last eight days. The Dow Jones industrial average sank 45.74, or 0.2 percent, to 20,550.98, while the Nasdaq composite index rose 11.64, or 0.2 percent, to 5,840.37.

When trading opened for the day, it looked as if losses would be much worse. The S&P 500 sank from the start and was down as much as 0.9 percent.

The weakness followed last week's failure by Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, something they've been pledging to do for years, which raised doubts that Washington can push through promises to help businesses. Investors have been anticipating that President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress will cut taxes, loosen regulations for companies and institute other corporate-friendly policies.

Indexes recovered most of their losses in the afternoon, largely thanks to gains in hospital and other health care stocks. Tax cuts, deregulation and other business-friendly moves could still happen, but even if they don't, the stock market has several pillars of support, said John Manley, chief equity strategist at Wells Fargo Funds Management.

"Trump lucked out when he got elected president, because it was just as earnings were coming out of a two-year slumber," he said. "I think it's been as much, if not more, about earnings as it's been him" behind the 9.4 percent rise for the S&P 500 since Election Day.

An improving economy is translating into bigger profits for businesses, which are set to report their first-quarter results in the coming weeks. The Federal Reserve, meanwhile, is moving very slowly in raising interest rates and is loath to apply the brakes to the economy too quickly.

"Investors have to acknowledge that a 5 percent correction can happen at any time, and the fact that we haven't had a 1 percent down day for so long is extraordinary," Manley said. "But the things that are usually responsible for a major market decline just don't seem to be in place."

The S&P 500 has lost 1 percent in a day just once since mid-October.

Interest rates fell Monday. The yield on the 10-year Treasury dropped to 2.37 percent from 2.41 percent late Friday. Just a couple weeks ago, it was above 2.60 percent.

Bank stocks have tracked the movements of Treasury yields recently, because higher interest rates would allow them to charge more for loans and reap bigger profits. Investors also expected financial companies to be some of the biggest beneficiaries of easier regulations with a Republican-led White House.

Financial stocks in the S&P 500 dropped 0.5 percent, one of the larger losses among the 11 sectors that make up the index. Morgan Stanley fell 88 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $41.58, and Capital One Financial lost $1.67, or 2 percent, to $82.13.

Hospital stocks were among the strongest performers. The Republican health care plan would have resulted in 24 million additional uninsured people in a decade, according to a tally by the Congressional Budget Office. And hospitals take care of patients, whether they're insured or not.

HCA Holdings jumped $4.45, or 5.2 percent, to $90.49 for the biggest gain in the S&P 500. Universal Health Services rose $4.08, or 3.3 percent, to $125.97.

Also demonstrating the swing from nervousness in the morning to a more measured mood in the afternoon was the VIX index, which tracks how much traders are paying to protect against upcoming drops in the S&P 500.

Early Monday, the VIX jumped nearly 17 percent and was close to its highest level since mid-November. It calmed through the day and was down by the afternoon.

The price of gold rose $7.20 to settle at $1,255.70 an ounce. Silver rose 36 cents to $18.11 per ounce. Copper was close to flat at $2.63 per pound.

Benchmark U.S. crude fell 24 cents to settle at $47.73 per barrel. Brent crude, used to price international oils, fell 5 cents to $50.57 a barrel.

Natural gas fell 2 cents to $3.05 per 1,000 cubic feet, wholesale gasoline rose a penny to $1.62 per gallon and heating oil was close to flat at $1.50 per gallon.

The dollar fell to 110.57 Japanese yen from 110.80 late Friday. The euro rose to $1.0868 from $1.0808, and the British pound rose to $1.2566 from $1.2500.

Stocks were weak around the world. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index dropped 1.4 percent, South Korea's Kospi index lost 0.6 percent and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell 0.7 percent. In Europe, the German DAX lost 0.6 percent, the French CAC 40 fell 0.1 percent and the FTSE 100 in London dropped 0.6 percent.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 151 points or ▲ 0.73% on Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,701.50 ▲ 150.52 ▲ 0.73% .
Nasdaq____ 5,875.14 ▲ 34.77 ▲ 0.60% .
S&P_500___ 2,358.57 ▲ 16.98 ▲ 0.73% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.01 ▲ 0.03 ▲ 1.14% .

NYSE Volume 3,367,257,750
Nasdaq Volume 1,819,642,880

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,343.42 ▲ 49.92 ▲ 0.68% .
DAX_____ 12,149.42 ▲ 153.35 ▲ 1.28% .
CAC_40__ 5,046.20 ▲ 28.77 ▲ 0.57% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,860.40 ▲ 71.20 ▲ 1.23% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,252.95 ▼ -14.01 ▼ -0.43% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,876.45 ▼ -0.32 ▲ 0.00% .
Nikkei_225___ 19,202.87 ▲ 217.28 ▲ 1.14% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,345.87 ▲ 152.17 ▲ 0.63% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,157.82 ▲ 30.94 ▲ 0.99% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,065.23 ▲ 2.52 ▲ 0.04% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stock-indexes-edge-higher-142014425.html

US stock indexes close higher as consumer confidence gains

ALEX VEIGA

Banks and other financial companies led U.S. stock indexes sharply higher Tuesday, snapping an eight-day losing streak for the Dow Jones industrial average.

The rally was broad, with materials and industrial companies among the biggest gainers. Energy stocks notched a big gain as crude oil prices moved higher.

The market got a boost from new data showing that consumer confidence in the U.S. hit its highest level since 2000.

Investor optimism that Congress and the White House are pivoting to tax cuts and other business-friendly policy proposals after spending recent weeks focused on health care also helped send the market higher, said JJ Kinahan, chief market strategist at TD Ameritrade.

"The consumer confidence number was really good, but more importantly, it seems like both sides of the aisle do want to get something done around tax reform," Kinahan said. "That's all the market is really hanging its hat on."

The Dow rose 150.52 points, or 0.7 percent, to 20,701.50. The 30-company average's decline in the previous eight consecutive days was its longest slide in more than five years. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 16.98 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,358.57. The Nasdaq composite index gained 34.77 points, or 0.6 percent, to 5,875.14.

Bond prices edged lower. The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 2.42 percent from 2.38 percent.

Since Donald Trump's presidential election win last November, investors have been optimistic that the administration would deliver on promises to slash taxes, loosen regulations for companies and institute other business-friendly policies. Republicans' failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act last week dashed some of that optimism, pulling down stocks. But this week, Republicans appear to be shifting their focus back on tax cuts, among other issues.

"The market is sort of in a holding pattern waiting for additional clarity from the administration on corporate tax reform," said Nadia Lovell, U.S. equity strategist at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. "We do view the pivot away from health care reform on Friday as an overall net positive."

Trading got off to a downbeat start Tuesday as investors weighed the latest batch of company earnings news. But the market livened up around midmorning when the Conference Board said its consumer confidence index rose this month to its highest level in more than 16 years. The index measures both consumers' assessment of current conditions and their expectations for the future. Both improved this month.

Traders also got some encouragement from the latest Standard & Poor's CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index, which showed that U.S. home prices rose at the fastest pace in more than two years in January.

Mortgage rates are rising, but that's not expected to affect home sales yet because hiring is still strong, rates are low and there aren't a lot of homes on the market. That's a positive combination for homebuilders, many of which have seen their stocks move sharply higher this year. Beazer Homes USA notched the biggest gain among builders Tuesday, adding 38 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $12.06. The stock remains down 9.3 percent this year.

Several companies reported improved quarterly results or outlooks, which also helped put traders in a buying mood.

Darden Restaurants jumped 9.3 percent after the owner of Olive Garden reported strong quarterly results and said it will buy the Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen chain for $780 million. Cheddar has 165 locations in 28 states. Darden was the biggest gainer in the S&P 500, rising $7.04 to $82.62.

Red Hat climbed 5.2 percent after the open-source software company reported strong sales and solid guidance for the current quarter. The stock added $4.28 to $86.48.

Carnival rose 0.7 percent after the cruise line operator served up solid first-quarter results and a better-than-expected estimate for the second quarter. The stock, which closed at an all-time high on Monday, gained another 39 cents to $59.26.

General Motors rose 2.4 percent after its board voted to reject a proposal from investor David Einhorn to split the automaker's stock into two classes. GM shares picked up 85 cents to $35.56.

Several major stock indexes overseas closed higher.

In Europe, Germany's DAX gained 1.3 percent, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.6 percent. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares added 0.7 percent. Investors, particularly in U.K.-related assets, will have more to chew on Wednesday when the British government finally triggers the two-year process by which it leaves the European Union.

In Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 gained 1.1 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.5 percent. Seoul's Kospi rose 0.3 percent.

The euro weakened to $1.0808 from $1.0868, while the dollar strengthened to 111.09 yen from 110.57 yen.

Benchmark U.S. crude rose 64 cents, or 1.3 percent, to close at $48.37 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, climbed 58 cents, or 1.1 percent, to close at $51.33 a barrel in London.

Natural gas added 4 cents to $3.10 per 1,000 cubic feet, wholesale gasoline rose 2 cents to $1.64 per gallon and heating oil gained a penny to $1.52 per gallon.

In metals trading, the price of gold slipped 10 cents to settle at $1,255.60 an ounce. Silver rose 14 cents to $18.25 per ounce. Copper added 4 cents to $2.68 per pound.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -42 points or ▼ -0.20% on Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,659.32 ▼ -42.18 ▼ -0.20% .
Nasdaq____ 5,897.55 ▲ 22.41 ▲ 0.38% .
S&P_500___ 2,361.13 ▲ 2.56 ▲ 0.11% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.99 ▼ -0.02 ▼ -0.70% .

NYSE Volume 3,078,469,750
Nasdaq Volume 1,738,996,000

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,373.72 ▲ 30.30 ▲ 0.41% .
DAX_____ 12,203.00 ▲ 53.58 ▲ 0.44% .
CAC_40__ 5,069.04 ▲ 22.84 ▲ 0.45% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,910.70 ▲ 50.30 ▲ 0.86% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,241.31 ▼ -11.63 ▼ -0.36% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,856.25 ▼ -20.20 ▼ -0.20% .
Nikkei_225___ 19,217.48 ▲ 14.61 ▲ 0.08% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,392.05 ▲ 46.18 ▲ 0.19% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,184.57 ▲ 26.75 ▲ 0.85% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,133.57 ▲ 68.34 ▲ 0.97% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stock-indexes-mostly-lower-early-trading-oil-142833318.html

US stock indexes close mostly higher; oil up

ALEX VEIGA

U.S. stock indexes closed mostly higher Wednesday after a sharp increase in crude oil prices helped drive market-leading gains for energy companies.

Banks and other financial stocks declined the most as bond yields headed lower, which translates into lower interest rates on loans and lower profits for banks.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended in the red, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index and Nasdaq composite eked out modest gains. Two stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange.

"After yesterday's bounce back, you're seeing a little sideways action today," said Jeff Zipper, managing director at the Private Client Reserve of U.S. Bank.

The S&P 500 index added 2.56 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,361.13. The Dow fell 42.18 points, or 0.2 percent, to 20,659.32. The Nasdaq composite index gained 22.41 points, or 0.4 percent, to 5,897.55.

Bond prices rose. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 2.39 percent from 2.42 percent.

A day after Wall Street rallied on news that U.S. consumer confidence reached its highest level since 2000, the market got another dose of encouraging economic data Wednesday.

The National Association of Realtors said more people signed contracts to buy U.S. homes last month as warm weather and rising confidence appeared to encourage consumers to look for houses. The NAR's pending home sales index climbed 5.5 percent in February to 112.3, its highest point since April and its second-highest point since 2006.

Investors are hoping that Congress and the White House will enact tax cuts and other business-friendly policy proposals promised by President Donald Trump during his campaign.

Those expectations helped lift the market in the weeks after the election last November. But some of that investor optimism dimmed in recent weeks after the Trump administration's bid to pass a bill intended to begin repealing the Affordable Care Act failed to win enough votes.

"It's really wait-and-see with the focus back on Washington and tax reform," Zipper said.

Outside of Washington, investors had their eye on the latest company earnings news. Investors bid up shares in several companies that posted solid quarterly results or outlooks.

RH, formerly Restoration Hardware, climbed 14.9 percent a day after the home furnishings and decor retailer reported stronger earnings. It added $5.68 to $43.68.

Verint Systems jumped 10 percent after the software company reported better-than-expected quarterly results. Verint also said during a management conference call with analysts that it is possible that at some point it will split itself into two businesses, but noted it has no plans now to do that. Verint's stock rose $3.95 to $43.50.

Traders also welcomed news of other corporate deals.

Exar surged 22.3 percent after MaxLinear agreed to buy the chipmaker for $13 per share, or $662 million. Shares in Exar gained $2.37 to $12.99. MaxLinear rose $1.55, or 5.8 percent, to $28.06.

Some companies' quarterly report cards failed to impress traders.

Dave & Buster's Entertainment fell 3.4 percent after the arcade and restaurant chain announced disappointing sales at older locations. The stock gave up $2.10 to $60.09.

Depomed slid 3.1 percent after the drugmaker issued disappointing first-quarter sales guidance and replaced its CEO and two board members to resolve a dispute with investment firm Starboard Value. The stock dipped 44 cents to $13.79.

Not all drugmakers had a rough day.

Vertex Pharma vaulted 20.5 percent after the drugmaker disclosed results from two studies of a new cystic fibrosis treatment. The company said patients treated with a new experimental drug plus its own Kalydeco had improved lung function. The stock rose $18.34 to $108.01.

Several major overseas stock indexes closed higher.

In Europe, Germany's DAX climbed 0.4 percent, while France's CAC 40 added 0.5 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 gained 0.4 percent against the backdrop of Britain triggering the start of its exit from the European Union. The formal step kicks off two years of negotiations that will have wide-ranging consequences for business in the region.

Earlier in Asia, Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 index edged up 0.1 percent. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.2 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.2 percent. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.9 percent to 5,873.50.

In currency trading, the dollar weakened to 111.07 yen from 111.09 yen. The euro fell to $1.0759 from $1.0808.

Energy prices closed sharply higher as traders weighed remarks from Iran's oil minister

Oil prices climbed after Iran's oil minister said the recent production cut deal will probably be extended, and fighting in Libya is affecting its oil industry.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil futures rose $1.14, or 2.4 percent, to close at $49.51 a barrel in New York. The contract rose 64 cents on Tuesday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, climbed $1.09, or 2.1 percent, to close at $52.42 a barrel in London. Natural gas added 8 cents to $3.18 per 1,000 cubic feet, wholesale gasoline rose 4 cents to $1.67 per gallon and heating oil gained 3 cents to $1.54 per gallon.

The price of gold slipped $1.90 to settle at $1,253.70 an ounce. Silver held steady at $18.25 per ounce. Copper was little changed at $2.68 per pound.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 69.2 points or ▲ 0.33% on Thursday, March 30, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,728.49 ▲ 69.17 ▲ 0.33% .
Nasdaq____ 5,914.34 ▲ 16.80 ▲ 0.28% .
S&P_500___ 2,368.06 ▲ 6.93 ▲ 0.29% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.03 ▲ 0.03 ▲ 1.10% .

NYSE Volume 3,157,876,750
Nasdaq Volume 1,736,698,620

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,369.52 ▼ -4.20 ▼ -0.06% .
DAX_____ 12,256.43 ▲ 53.43 ▲ 0.44% .
CAC_40__ 5,089.64 ▲ 20.60 ▲ 0.41% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,931.80 ▲ 21.10 ▲ 0.36% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,210.24 ▼ -31.08 ▼ -0.96% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,848.15 ▼ -8.10 ▼ -0.08% .
Nikkei_225___ 19,063.22 ▼ -154.26 ▼ -0.80% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,301.09 ▼ -90.96 ▼ -0.37% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,173.24 ▼ -11.33 ▼ -0.36% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,169.11 ▲ 35.54 ▲ 0.50% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stock-indexes-edge-higher-early-trading-oil-142925006--finance.html

Banks and other financial companies led U.S. stocks modestly higher Thursday, nudging the Nasdaq composite index to an all-time high.

Rising bond yields, which can result in higher interest rates on loans and bigger profits for banks, helped put traders in the mood to buy banking stocks. Energy companies also notched gains as crude oil prices rose. Utilities and other high-dividend stocks fell.

Investors also bid up shares in companies that released strong quarterly results or announced big transactions. ConocoPhillips jumped 8.8 percent after the energy company agreed to sell most of its Canadian assets.

"Equities are ending the first quarter in a reasonably good place," said Terry Sandven, chief equity strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management. "I do think equities trend sideways, probably for the next month. The rally since the election has centered around improved sentiment regarding tax reform and infrastructure spending, and that's still a work in progress."

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 69.17 points, or 0.3 percent, to 20,728.49. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 6.93 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,368.06. The Nasdaq gained 16.80 points, or 0.3 percent, to 5,914.34. Small-company stocks fared better than the other indexes, sending the Russell 2000 index up 10.70 points, or 0.8 percent, to 1,382.35. The four stock indexes last set record highs on March 1.

Bond prices edged lower. The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 2.41 percent from 2.38 percent late Wednesday.

Trading was mostly subdued at the start of trading Thursday following mixed action in overseas markets. But soon investors got another batch of encouraging economic news: The Commerce Department raised its estimate for economic growth in the fourth quarter to 2.1 percent from 1.9 percent, noting that consumer spending increased more than expected. And the Labor Department said applications for unemployment benefits dipped slightly last week.

The latest economic data followed positive reports on consumer confidence and housing earlier this week.

"Today's action and the little bit of strength we've seen the past couple of days is maybe investors focusing a little bit more on fundamentals and the fact that the economy and earnings are in the same trajectory as they were two weeks ago when the markets were at all-time highs, and we're slightly below that," said Sean Lynch, co-head of global equity strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

Financial sector stocks rose 1.2 percent, the biggest gain among the 11 sectors in the S&P 500. The sector, which is up 2.8 percent this year, accounted for more than half of the index's gains Thursday.

Traders bid up shares in big banks such as Capital One Financial, which rose $2.46, or 2.9 percent, to $87.14.

"What we know is that probably interest rates are rising and the Fed is going to raise rates, and that probably less regulation is on the way, and that might be why sometimes you see financials kick up on a day like this," Lynch said.

ConocoPhillips jumped after the energy company agreed to sell most of its Canadian assets to Canada's Cenovus Energy in a deal valued at $13.2 billion. The stock was the biggest gainer in the S&P 500 index, climbing $4.05 to $50.

Extreme Networks surged 14.2 percent after the network infrastructure equipment maker agreed to buy a data center, switching, routing and analytics business from Brocade Communications once Brocade is acquired by Broadcom. Shares in Extreme Networks rose 92 cents to $7.38.

Several companies rose after turning in strong quarterly results.

Irrigation equipment maker Lindsay Corp. climbed $6.42, or 7.9 percent, to $87.81.

Other companies failed to impress traders.

Lululemon sank 23.4 percent a day after the yoga clothing company's forecast for the quarter fell well short of Wall Street's expectations. The stock slid $15.54 to $50.76.

Science Applications International tumbled 13.1 percent after the information technology company's latest quarterly results missed estimates. The company cited a variety of problems, including delays and declines in contract work. The stock lost $11.28 to $74.97.

World stocks were mixed. In Europe, Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 each gained 0.4 percent, while Britain's FTSE 100 slipped 0.1 percent. Earlier, some Asian indexes fell after Chinese authorities tightened liquidity in the financial system of the world's second-largest economy.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.4 percent, while Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 0.8 percent. South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.1 percent. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.4 percent. Southeast Asian indexes were mixed.

In energy futures trading, benchmark U.S. crude oil rose 84 cents, or 1.7 percent, to close at $50.35 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, gained 54 cents, or 1 percent, to $52.96 a barrel in London. Natural gas slipped 4 cents to $3.19 per 1,000 cubic feet, wholesale gasoline rose a penny to $1.68 per gallon and heating oil gained 2 cents to $1.56 per gallon.

The price of gold fell $8.70 to settle at $1,245 an ounce. Silver slid 5 cents to $18.21 per ounce. Copper slipped a penny to $2.67 per pound.

In currency trading, the dollar rose to 111.60 yen from 111.03 yen on Wednesday. The euro fell to $1.0691 from $1.0760.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -65 points or ▼ -0.31% on Friday, March 31, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,663.22 ▼ -65.27 ▼ -0.31% .
Nasdaq____ 5,911.74 ▼ -2.61 ▼ -0.04% .
S&P_500___ 2,362.72 ▼ -5.34 ▼ -0.23% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.02 ▼ -0.01 ▼ -0.23% .

NYSE Volume 3,324,477,000
Nasdaq Volume 347,188,736,000

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,322.92 ▼ -46.60 ▼ -0.63% .
DAX_____ 12,312.87 ▲ 56.44 ▲ 0.46% .
CAC_40__ 5,122.51 ▲ 32.87 ▲ 0.65% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,903.80 ▼ -28.00 ▼ -0.47% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,222.51 ▲ 12.28 ▲ 0.38% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,811.52 ▼ -36.63 ▼ -0.37% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,909.26 ▼ -153.96 ▼ -0.81% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,111.59 ▼ -189.50 ▼ -0.78% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,175.11 ▲ 1.87 ▲ 0.06% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,196.78 ▲ 27.67 ▲ 0.39% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stock-indexes-wavering-between-142452160.html

Stocks end 1Q with solid gains after day of listless trading

ALEX VEIGA

Wall Street closed out a solid quarter Friday with a day of listless trading that ended on a soft note.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index notched its best three-month stretch since the fourth quarter of 2015. The Nasdaq composite turned in its best quarter since the end of 2013.

The S&P 500, Nasdaq and the Dow Jones industrial average ended the day down slightly, with financials companies posting the biggest decline. Real estate companies led the gainers.

Trading was largely subdued, suggesting portfolio managers looking to bolster their end-of-quarter performance had made their moves earlier in the week, said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial.

"The market has performed very well," she said.

The Dow slid 65.27 points, or 0.3 percent, to 20,663.22. The S&P 500 lost 5.34 points, or 2 percent, to 2,362.72. The Nasdaq fell 2.61 points to 5,911.74. The index hit an all-time high on Thursday.

Small-company stocks fared better than the rest of the market. The Russell 2000 index picked up 3.57 points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,385.92. Three stocks rose for every two that fell on the New York Stock Exchange.

Bond prices edged higher. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 2.39 percent from 2.42 percent late Thursday.

The major stock indexes got off to a downbeat start Friday and spent much of the day wavering between small gains and losses as investors weighed several corporate deals and new economic data on consumer spending and inflation.

The Commerce Department said consumer spending kept rising in February, though gains in the last two months have been slow. Meanwhile, an inflation gauge closely watched by the Federal Reserve increased 2.1 percent in February compared to a year ago, a five-year high.

The latest economic data followed positive reports on consumer confidence, housing and economic growth earlier this week, which have added to the market's expectation for stronger first-quarter corporate earnings.

"The market is moving ahead into the second quarter with valuations that are high, but the expectations are that the first-quarter earnings season will confirm the valuations," Krosby said.

All told, the S&P 500 index ended the first three months of this year with a gain of 5.5 percent, the Nasdaq posted a gain of 9.8 percent and the Dow climbed of 4.6 percent. The Russell 2000 ended the quarter with a gain of 2.1 percent, its fourth quarter of growth in a row.

Investors bid up shares in companies with better-than-expected earnings Friday.

Industrial products company DXP Enterprises jumped $5.13, or 15.7 percent, to $37.87, while BlackBerry surged $1.03, or 11.1 percent, to $10.30.

NantHealth didn't fare as well. The health care information technology company slid 2.7 percent after it reported disappointing fourth-quarter revenue. The stock shed 13 cents to $4.96.

Auto dealership companies were among the decliners Friday. AutoNation fell $1.20, or 2.8 percent, to $42.29. CarMax slid 84 cents, or 1.4 percent, to $59.22.

Traders cheered several corporate deals.

TRC vaulted 46 percent after the engineering and consulting services company agreed to be bought by a unit of the investment firm New Mountain Capital for $17.55 a share, or $365.5 million. The stock climbed $5.50 to $17.45.

Shares in FMC also got a lift after the company agreed to buy part of DuPont's crop protection business. At the same time, DuPont will buy FMC's health and nutrition unit. DuPont also gets $1.6 billion, mostly in cash. Antitrust regulators in Europe wanted DuPont to make the sale as part of its combination with competitor Dow Chemical. FMC jumped $8.09, or 13.2 percent, to $69.59. DuPont shares fell $1.31, or 1.6 percent, to $80.33.

Major indexes overseas were mixed Friday.

In Europe, Germany's DAX rose 0.5 percent, while France's CAC 40 gained 0.7 percent. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares fell 0.6 percent.

In Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng each fell 0.8 percent. Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 declined 0.5 percent. Seoul's Kospi fell 0.2 percent. India's Sensex gave up 0.2 percent, while Taiwan and New Zealand rose.

Oil futures also posted an uneven finish.

Benchmark U.S. crude recovered from an early slide to add 25 cents and close at $50.60 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, slipped 13 cents to close at $52.83 a barrel in London.

Natural gas held steady at $3.19 per 1,000 cubic feet. Wholesale gasoline rose 2 cents to $1.70 per gallon and heating oil gained 2 cents to $1.57 per gallon.

The price of gold rose $3.20 to settle at $1,251.20 an ounce. Silver added 5 cents to $18.26 per ounce. Copper slipped 2 cents to $2.65 per pound.

In currency trading, the euro weakened to $1.0684 from $1.0691 on Thursday. The dollar fell to 111.29 yen from 111.60 yen.

3744

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -13 points or ▼ -0.06% on Monday, April 3, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,650.21 ▼ -13.01 ▼ -0.06% .
Nasdaq____ 5,894.68 ▼ -17.06 ▼ -0.29% .
S&P_500___ 2,358.84 ▼ -3.88 ▼ -0.16% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.99 ▼ -0.03 ▼ -1.09% .

NYSE Volume 3,416,381,000
Nasdaq Volume 2,286,434,750

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,282.69 ▼ -40.23 ▼ -0.55% .
DAX_____ 12,257.20 ▼ -55.67 ▼ -0.45% .
CAC_40__ 5,085.91 ▼ -36.59 ▼ -0.71% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,909.70 ▲ 5.90 ▲ 0.10% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,222.51 ▲ 12.28 ▲ 0.38% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,811.52 ▼ -36.63 ▼ -0.37% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,983.23 ▲ 73.97 ▲ 0.39% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,261.48 ▲ 149.89 ▲ 0.62% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,187.51 ▲ 12.40 ▲ 0.39% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,225.01 ▲ 28.23 ▲ 0.39% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stocks-start-lower-car-142427681.html

US stocks fall as weak auto sales trouble investors

MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks started the second quarter with a thud Monday after car makers reported disappointing March sales, a possible warning about other types of spending. But a late recovery helped stocks avoid bigger losses.

Stocks tumbled in morning trading after automakers including Ford and General Motors said passenger car sales slumped last month. Auto parts and rental car companies also tumbled. Spending by shoppers is a critical part of economic growth and investors found themselves wondering if spending will keep growing as it has in recent years. Small companies slumped, as their performance is closely linked to U.S. economic growth.

While stocks recovered most of their earlier losses, the weak car sales still sent a chill through the market. Steven Ricchiuto, chief U.S. economist for Mizuho, said auto sales have been a major part of the U.S. economy recently, and if car sales fall, consumer spending would also weaken. That in turn might mean manufacturers and other companies won't open as many factories or hire as many workers.

"If we're starting to lose some of the momentum on autos, where is the momentum going to come from?" he said.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell as much as 18 points around midday, but finished down just 3.88 points, or 0.2 percent, at 2,358.84. The Dow Jones industrial average lost as much as 145 points but wound up with a loss of 13.01 points, or 0.1 percent, to 20,650.21. The Nasdaq composite shed 17.06 points, or 0.3 percent, to 5,894.68. The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks gave up 16.25 points, or 1.2 percent, to 1,369.67.

Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota and Honda all said their overall sales decreased in March as passenger car sales kept falling. GM reported its sales were up thanks to stronger SUV sales, but its totals weren't as good as experts expected.

Auto sales have reached all-time highs in recent years, but companies are offering more cash, incentives, and low-interest loans to draw in buyers. Investors are getting worried that companies will be stuck with vehicles they'll have to sell for big discounts.

Fiat Chrysler lost 52 cents, or 4.8 percent, to $10.41 and General Motors stock fell $1.19, or 3.4 percent, to $34.17. Ford gave up 20 cents, or 1.7 percent, to $11.44.

Five of the eight worst performers in the S&P 500 Monday came from the auto industry. Auto parts retailer O'Reilly Automotive dropped $11.15, or 4.1 percent, to $258.69. Auto retailer AutoNation shed $1.45, or 3.1 percent, to $40.84 and Goodyear Tire slid 73 cents, or 2 percent, to $35.28.

Tesla said over the weekend that its deliveries jumped 69 percent in the first quarter to a record 25,000. The electric car company's stock climbed $20.22, or 7.3 percent, to $298.52. Tesla's market capitalization rose to $48.7 billion, greater than Ford's.

Bond prices rose sharply. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.33 percent from 2.39 percent. When bond yields fall, interest rates also decrease, and that affected banks and financial institutions.

As investors felt less certain about the performance of the economy, they sold stocks in companies that do the best when the economy is growing quickly. Retailers, technology companies, and industrial companies fell more than the rest of the market on Monday.

The dollar sank to 110.96 yen from 111.29 yen and the euro fell to $1.0665 from $1.0684.

Benchmark U.S. crude lost 36 cents to $50.24 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, slipped 41 cents to $53.12 a barrel in London.

Health care companies finished with small gains as big health insurers traded higher. Cigna added $2.90, or 2 percent, to $149.39 and Humana picked up $3.63, or 1.8 percent, to $209.77. Aetna and UnitedHealth both rose about 1 percent.

Novocure jumped after a study of its Optune device, which uses electric fields to fight cancer, appeared to improve survival for patients with aggressive brain tumors. Over the weekend the company said 13 percent of patients treated with the device as well as chemotherapy were still alive after five years, compared to 5 percent for the patients who received only chemotherapy. Many doctors are skeptical of the product, and it's costly, at $21,000 a month. Novocure stock climbed $3, or 37 percent, to $11.10.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline fell 1 cent to $1.69 a gallon. Heating oil slid 1 cent to $1.56 a gallon. Natural gas skidded 6 cents, or 1.9 percent, to $3.13 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The price of gold rose $2.80 to $1,254 an ounce. Silver lost 4 cents to $18.21 an ounce. Copper dropped 5 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $2.60 a pound.

France's CAC 40 slipped 0.7 percent. The German DAX sank 0.5 percent, as did the FTSE 100 of Britain. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.4 percent and the Kospi in South Korea rose 0.3 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.5 percent.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 39 points or ▲ 0.19% on Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,689.24 ▲ 39.03 ▲ 0.19% .
Nasdaq____ 5,898.61 ▲ 3.93 ▲ 0.07% .
S&P_500___ 2,360.16 ▲ 1.32 ▲ 0.06% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.99 ▲ 0.01 ▲ 0.27% .

NYSE Volume 3,206,142,500
Nasdaq Volume 2,548,768,750

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,321.82 ▲ 39.13 ▲ 0.54% .
DAX_____ 12,282.34 ▲ 25.14 ▲ 0.21% .
CAC_40__ 5,101.13 ▲ 15.22 ▲ 0.30% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,895.80 ▼ -13.90 ▼ -0.24% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,222.51 ▲ 12.28 ▲ 0.38% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,811.52 ▼ -36.63 ▼ -0.37% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,810.25 ▼ -172.98 ▼ -0.91% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,261.48 ▲ 149.89 ▲ 0.62% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,179.06 ▼ -8.45 ▼ -0.27% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,244.54 ▲ 19.53 ▲ 0.27% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stock...ess-investment-report-142523289--finance.html

Stocks tread water as energy companies rise and banks fall

MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks hardly moved Tuesday as investors were slow to dip a toe back into the market, although energy companies did climb with the price of oil and natural gas. Banks and retailers took losses.

Stock indexes flickered between tiny gains and losses throughout the day before they mounted a small rally over the last half hour of trading. Energy companies rose the most, and companies that make drinks, packaged foods, and other household items also rose. Retailers and department stores slumped after Urban Outfitters warned of weak first-quarter sales and Ralph Lauren said it will close stores and cut jobs.

That came a day after car makers reported weak sales for March, which raised concerns about sales of other goods.

Eric Wiegand, senior portfolio manager at U.S. Bank's Private Client Reserve, said consumers are very confident in the economy according to surveys, but considering high levels of employment and hiring, they're not spending that much.

"We would like to see that confidence reflected in their actual consumption and that's been somewhat mixed," he said.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index picked up 1.32 points, or almost 0.1 percent, to 2,360.16. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 39.03 points, or 0.2 percent, to 20,689.24. The Nasdaq composite added 3.93 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,898.61.

Slightly more stocks fell than rose on the New York Stock Exchange, and the Russell 2000 index, which contains smaller-company stocks, lost 1.49 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,368.18.

This week investors will pore over reports on the U.S. economy, including the monthly jobs report on Friday. Trade agreements will be in focus as President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet Thursday and Friday.

Ralph Lauren dropped $3.63, or 4.5 percent, to $77.73 after it said it will close stores and cut jobs in an effort to save money. The company will close its Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan less than three years after it opened. Urban Outfitters lost 7 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $22.49 after it said sales at older stores have fallen over the last two months.

Other retailers also lost ground. Department store Nordstrom fell $2.56, or 5.5 percent, to $43.92 and L Brands, the owner of Victoria's Secret, shed $2.03, or 4.4 percent, to $43.77. But their online nemesis Amazon gained $15.32, or 1.7 percent, to $906.83. Amazon stock is up 21 percent this year.

Handbag and accessories maker Kate Spade slumped after Reuters said the company will take more time to negotiate a possible sale. The report cited anonymous sources and said that if Kate Spade is sold to a buyer like Michael Kors or Coach, it will likely be for less than the company's recent valuation of $2.9 billion. Kate Spade sank $3.34, or 14.6 percent, to $19.46.

Benchmark U.S. crude rose 79 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $51.03 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, added $1.05, or 2 percent, to $54.17 a barrel in London. Anadarko Petroleum added 92 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $62.71.

The price of natural gas jumped 4.6 percent to $3.27 per 1,000 cubic feet, and Southwestern Energy climbed 70 cents, or 8.9 percent, to $8.59 while Range Resources gained $1.19, or 4.2 percent, to $29.76. Wholesale gasoline rose 3 cents to $1.72 a gallon and heating oil added 3 cents to $1.59 a gallon.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.36 percent from 2.33 percent.

Banks took losses for the second day in a row following a sharp drop in bond yields Monday. Lower bond yields force interest rates on loans lower, which cuts into banks' profits. Capital One Financial slid 54 cents to $85.26 and Discover Financial Services lost 90 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $67.05.

The Commerce Department said U.S. factory orders kept growing in February thanks to greater demand for commercial aircraft. Boeing said it will sell $3 billion in aircraft to an Iranian airline, and its stock gained $2.05, or 1.2 percent, to $178.70.

Manufacturers have been recovering recently from a rough patch that was caused by weak economies overseas and the strong dollar, which made U.S. goods more expensive. A measurement of business investment spending decreased for the first time since September.

Staples climbed after the Wall Street Journal reported that the office supply company is talking to private equity firms about a potential sale. Staples tried to buy competitor Office Depot for $6.3 billion, but gave up on that effort last May after regulators opposed it and a federal judge said it would reduce competition. Staples jumped 85 cents, or 9.8 percent, to $9.51.

Gold rose $4.40 to $1,258.40 an ounce. Silver added 11 cents to $18.32 an ounce. Copper rose 1 cent to $2.61 per pound.

The dollar slipped to 110.65 yen from 110.96 yen. The euro edged up to $1.0670 from $1.0665.

Britain's FTSE 100 gained 0.5 percent and the CAC 40 in France rose 0.3 percent. In Germany, the DAX added 0.2 percent. The Japanese Nikkei 225 fell 0.9 percent as the yen gained against the U.S. dollar. The South Korean Kospi slipped 0.3 percent. Markets in Hong Kong were closed for public holidays.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -41 points or ▼ -0.20% on Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... ..
Dow_Jones 20,648.15 ▼ -41.09 ▼ -0.20% .
Nasdaq____ 5,864.48 ▼ -34.13 ▼ -0.58% .
S&P_500___ 2,352.95 ▼ -7.21 ▼ -0.31% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.01 ▲ 0.01 ▲ 0.43% .

NYSE Volume 3,770,513,250
Nasdaq Volume 2,965,557,000

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,331.68 ▲ 9.86 ▲ 0.13% .
DAX_____ 12,217.54 ▼ -64.80 ▼ -0.53% .
CAC_40__ 5,091.85 ▼ -9.28 ▼ -0.18% .

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,915.90 ▲ 20.10 ▲ 0.34% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,270.31 ▲ 47.79 ▲ 1.48% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,949.48 ▲ 137.96 ▲ 1.41% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,861.27 ▲ 51.02 ▲ 0.27% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,400.80 ▲ 139.32 ▲ 0.57% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,176.55 ▼ -2.51 ▼ -0.08% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,265.05 ▲ 20.51 ▲ 0.28% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stocks-surge-early-strong-140940058.html

Stocks wither as Fed plans throw cold water on early rally

MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — A big rally in U.S. stocks evaporated Wednesday as the Federal Reserve appeared to struggle with questions related to inflation and government policy and suggested it might start trimming its balance sheet later in the year.

Stocks had jumped early on after payroll processor ADP said private U.S. businesses added 263,000 jobs in March, which was more than analysts expected. The Dow Jones industrial average rose as much as 198 points, and the Nasdaq composite reached an all-time intraday high. Industrial and energy companies made some of the largest gains.

But stocks halted their advance and started falling at 2 p.m. Eastern, when the Federal Reserve disclosed the minutes from its policy meeting last month. The minutes showed Fed officials discussing plans to reduce the Fed's bond holdings later this year and disagreeing over whether it would be safe to let inflation rise faster and how to deal with the economic impact of President Donald Trump's stimulus ideas.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 7.21 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,352.95. The Dow sank 41.09 points, or 0.2 percent, to 20,648.15. The Nasdaq fell 34.13 points, or 0.6 percent, to 5,864.48. The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks lost 16.03 points, or 1.2 percent, to 1,352.14.

The Federal Reserve bought trillions of dollars' worth of bonds during the financial crisis of 2008-09 in an effort to stimulate the economy. When its bonds mature, it has continued to buy new ones. But now, the Fed may stop buying new bonds when older ones mature, which would gradually shrink the size of its holdings.

That sent bond prices surging and yields tumbling. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.33 percent from 2.36 percent. When bond yields fall, interest rates fall with them. That tends to hurt banks because it means reduced profits on lending, and banks took the largest losses Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase dropped $1.12, or 1.3 percent, to $86.19 and BB&T shed 56 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $43.98.

Banks made strong gains in early trading but they wound up with much bigger losses than the rest of the market.

For the last couple of months it seemed investors and the Fed understood each other well, as the central bank indicated it intended to keep raising interest rates gradually assuming the economy continued to grow at a steady clip. It raised rates in December and March. The uncertainty reflected in the Fed's March meeting may challenge that understanding.

Soup and sandwich chain Panera agreed to be acquired by JAB Holding of Europe for $315 a share. JAB has quietly become a rival to Starbucks in recent years as it owns, or has a large stake in, a series of brands that includes Peet's Coffee & Tea, Caribou Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, Keurig Green Mountain and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Panera stock jumped in recent days thanks to rumors about a deal. It rose $38.94, or 14.2 percent, to $312.94. The stock was trading at $230 a share a month ago.

Early Wednesday, U.S. and European regulators approved the sale of Swiss agribusiness Syngenta to ChemChina. ChemChina will have to sell some businesses to complete the $43 billion deal, but those rulings may have made investors more hopeful that two other giant chemical deals will be approved.

Dow Chemical and DuPont, which plan to combine, both rose. Dow Chemical gained 32 cents to $63.52 and DuPont added 67 cents to $80.47.

Monsanto reported profit and sales that were far better than analysts expected. Monsanto said profits from its corn and soybean businesses grew in the fiscal second quarter. It also backed its forecasts for the year and said its sale to Bayer of Germany should close by the end of the year. The stock rose $1.10, or 1 percent, to $115.31.

Greenbrier, which makes railroad freight car equipment, announced a bigger profit and better sales than analysts expected. It also said rail traffic is growing and announced a $1 billion agreement with a key customer. Greenbrier stock climbed $4.30, or 10 percent, to $47.25.

U.S. crude oil rose 12 cents to $51.15 a barrel in New York. Brent, the international standard, gained 19 cents to $54.36 a barrel in London.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline remained at $1.72 a gallon. Heating oil rose 1 cent to $1.60 a gallon. Natural gas decline 3 cents to $3.27 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Gold sank $9.90 to $1,248.50 an ounce. Silver lost 14 cents to $18.19 an ounce. Copper jumped 7 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $2.68 a pound. Those moves reflected investors' earlier optimism, as precious metals trading ends before stock trading does.

The dollar rose to 110.86 yen from 110.65 yen. The euro fell to $1.0667 from $1.0670.

The FTSE 100 index in Britain gained 0.1 percent. France's CAC 40 lost 0.2 percent and the DAX in Germany fell 0.5 percent. Japan's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.3 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 0.6 percent. The Kospi of South Korea finished little changed.

 

[bigdog]

ource: http://finance.yahoo.com

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 14.8 points or ▲ ### on ####
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 20,662.95 ▲ 14.80 ▲ 0.07%
Nasdaq____ 5,878.95 ▲ 14.47 ▲ 0.25%
S&P_500___ 2,357.49 ▲ 4.54 ▲ 0.19%
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.99 ▼ -0.02 ▼ -0.63%

NYSE Volume 3,202,890,250
Nasdaq Volume 2,433,265,500

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 7,303.20 ▼ -28.48 ▼ -0.39%
DAX_____ 12,230.89 ▲ 13.35 ▲ 0.11%
CAC_40__ 5,121.44 ▲ 29.59 ▲ 0.58%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,897.30 ▼ -18.60 ▼ -0.31%
Shanghai_Comp 3,281.00 ▲ 10.70 ▲ 0.33%
Taiwan_Weight 9,897.80 ▼ -51.68 ▼ -0.52%
Nikkei_225___ 18,597.06 ▼ -264.21 ▼ -1.40%
Hang_Seng.__ 24,273.72 ▼ -127.08 ▼ -0.52%
Strait_Times.__ 3,175.59 ▼ -0.96 ▼ -0.03%
NZX_50_Index_ 7,271.58 ▼ -17.94 ▼ -0.25%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-wobble-early-going-day-141041758.html

Stocks end higher as retailers and smaller companies rise

MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks inched higher Thursday as smaller retailers and banks traded higher and energy companies rose with fuel prices. Once again, the market was unable to hang on to more substantial gains from earlier in the day.

Strong reports from companies including L Brands, the parent of Victoria's Secret, and Bed Bath & Beyond helped retailers. Energy companies rose with the prices of oil and natural gas, and banks recovered some of the sharp losses they took a day ago.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose as much as 98 points early in the afternoon. However high-dividend stocks like phone companies and utilities skidded and technology companies also fell.

Terry Sandven, chief equity strategist for U.S. Bank Wealth Management, said investors are feeling uncertain, and that may hold true for at least a few weeks. After a weak auto sales report on Monday, he said investors are wondering how fast the economy is growing and what that will mean for company earnings.

"We expect volatility to be higher than what we experienced in the first quarter," he said.

It was the second day in a row that stocks slumped during afternoon trading, although the slip Thursday was far less dramatic than the one the day before. That slide started after the Federal Reserve said it may stop buying new bonds later this year and said its policymakers were grappling with whether it would be safe to let inflation rise faster.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 4.54 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,357.49. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 14.80 points, or 0.1 percent, to 20,662.95.

The Nasdaq composite gained 14.47 points, or 0.2 percent, to 5,878.95. The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks performed far better. It climbed 12.28 points, or 0.9 percent, to 1,364.43.

About three-fourths of the stocks on the New York Stock Exchange rose Thursday, but stocks are mostly down this week. The Russell 2000 has fallen 1.6 percent.

Investors will get an updated picture of the economy in the coming weeks, including the government's March report on employment Friday. Next week the Commerce Department will give a report on retailer sales and companies including JPMorgan Chase, Delta Air Lines and Netflix will report their earnings.

L Brands jumped $4.75, or 11 percent, to $47.85 after it reported strong March sales. Bed Bath & Beyond surpassed analysts' earnings estimates and climbed $1.28, or 3.4 percent, to $39.08. Department stores and mall-based retailers like Kohl's, Nordstrom and Gap traded higher. Discount retailers Fred's and Five Below made hefty gains after Fred's announced its own quarterly results.

Retail stocks have been hit hard for months as shoppers spend more money online and less at stores, especially ones based in malls.

Bond prices recovered from an early decline. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note stayed at 2.34 percent. Companies that pay big dividends, like phone companies and utilities, traded lower. Investors often sell those stocks when bond yields rise, as they did earlier in the day.

U.S. crude oil added 55 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $51.70 a barrel in New York while Brent crude, the international standard, rose 53 cents, or 1 percent, to $54.89 a barrel in London.

Wine, liquor and beer maker Constellation Brands jumped after it reported a larger profit and better sales than analysts expected. The company said its beer business, which includes Corona and Modelo, had a strong quarter, and it raised its profit forecast for the year. Its stock gained $10.37, or 6.4 percent, to $171.77.

Sunoco climbed after it agreed to sell most of its convenience stores to 7-Eleven. Sunoco will get $3.3 billion and 7-Eleven will acquire 1,100 stores, mostly in the East Coast and Texas. Sunoco also struck a fuel supply deal with a 7-Eleven subsidiary and it plans to sell 200 more convenience stores in a separate deal. Shares of Sunoco jumped $4.83, or 20.2 percent, to $28.69.

Consumer products giant Unilever said it will shake up its business after it rejected a $143 billion takeover effort from Kraft Heinz. It plans to sell its spreads business, which makes I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and Country Crock, combine its food and refreshment divisions, and return more than $5 billion to investors by buying back stock and raising its dividend. Its shares gained 44 cents to $49.55.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline added 1 cent to $1.73 a gallon. Heating oil rose 1 cent to $1.61 per gallon. Natural gas jumped 7 cents, or 2 percent, to $3.33 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Gold rose $4.80 to $1,253.30 an ounce. Silver added 6 cents to $18.25 an ounce. Copper slipped 2 cents to $2.66 a pound.

The dollar fell to 110.78 yen from 110.86 yen. The euro fell to $1.0646 from $1.0667.

France's CAC 40 jumped 0.6 percent and the FTSE 100 index in Britain fell 0.4 percent. Germany's DAX rose 0.1 percent. In Japan the benchmark Nikkei 225 lost 1.4 percent, and the Kospi of South Korea lost 0.4 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.6 percent.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -6.9 points or ▼ -0.03% on Friday, April 7, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... . . . . .
Dow_Jones 20,656.10 ▼ -6.85 ▼ -0.03% .
Nasdaq____ 5,877.81 ▼ -1.14 ▼ -0.02% .
S&P_500___ 2,355.54 ▼ -1.95 ▼ -0.08% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.00 ▲ 0.01 ▲ 0.37% .
. . . . . . . . .
NYSE Volume 3,053,049,750 . . . . . . .
Nasdaq Volume 2,311,641,250 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Europe . . . . . .
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change....... .
FTSE_100 7,349.37 ▲ 46.17 ▲ 0.63% .
DAX_____ 12,225.06 ▼ -5.83 ▼ -0.05% .
CAC_40__ 5,135.28 ▲ 13.84 ▲ 0.27% .
. . . . . . . . .
Asia Pacific . . . . . .
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…...... . . . .
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,902.60 ▲ 5.30 ▲ 0.09% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,286.62 ▲ 5.61 ▲ 0.17% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,873.37 ▼ -24.43 ▼ -0.25% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,664.63 ▲ 67.57 ▲ 0.36% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,267.30 ▼ -6.42 ▼ -0.03% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,177.27 ▲ 1.68 ▲ 0.05% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,243.76 ▼ -45.76 ▼ -0.63% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/shaky-start-stocks-syria-strike-142624628.html

After weak jobs report and Syria strikes, stocks stand still

Marley Jay, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks never got going Friday after a slightly disappointing jobs report and word of U.S. missile strikes against Syria. Investors bought shares of defense contractors and stocks that are traditionally considered safe.

Stocks moved between gains and losses all morning after the Labor Department said employers didn't add as many jobs as analysts had forecast. They started to rise in afternoon trading, but those gains didn't last. Investors bought high-dividend stocks like real estate investment trusts and household goods makers, but banks and energy companies fell.

Scott Wren, senior global equity strategist at the Wells Fargo Investment Institute, said he is not surprised the stock market did not have an overwhelming reaction to the jobs report or missile strikes because neither really altered investors' views of the U.S. economy.

"It was not a bad (jobs) report, it was just another in a long, long, long line of not bad, not great reports," he said. Wren said the economy probably won't grow much faster over the next few years because the Federal Reserve plans to keep raising interest rates, which makes borrowing more expensive.

The Standard & Poor's 500 slid 1.95 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,355.54. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 6.85 points to 20,656.10. The Nasdaq composite dipped 1.14 points to 5,877.71. The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks inched up 0.14 points to 1,364.56.

While stocks didn't move much overall, there were a few clear trends. Investors mostly avoided industries whose performance is closely linked to the state of the economy.

The government said employers added 98,000 jobs in March, which was weaker than the last few months and about half as many as analysts had predicted. One-time factors including snowstorms may have temporarily slowed hiring. The unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, its lowest level since 2007, as more people found work.

Over the last three months, employers had added an average of 178,000 jobs a month. That's just a bit slower than the monthly average from 2016.

Overnight, the U.S. launched a missile attack on a Syrian air force base following a chemical weapons strike blamed on the government of President Bashar Assad earlier in the week. The move was condemned by Russia and Iran. The VIX, known as Wall Street's "fear gauge," started rising late Thursday as the U.S. government shifted its policy on Syria.

Earlier the price of gold jumped to its highest price since right after the presidential election in November, and bond prices climbed. But that didn't last long, and bond prices turned lower late in the day. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.38 percent from 2.34 percent.

Still, the increased geopolitical uncertainty sent defense stocks higher. Raytheon added $2.21, or 1.5 percent, to $152.96 and Lockheed Martin rose $3.12, or 1.2 percent, to $270.23.

Among high-dividend stocks, Wal-Mart gained $1.47, or 2.1 percent, to $72.90 and Prologis rose 52 cents, or 1 percent, to $53.58.

The military strikes in the Middle East sent crude prices higher. U.S. oil added 54 cents, or 1 percent, to $52.24 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, rose 35 cents to $55.24 a barrel in London.

Twenty-First Century Fox declined for the fifth day in a row as advertisers continued to pull their ads from "The O'Reilly Factor." Less than a week ago, the New York Times reported that Fox News and Bill O'Reilly, the network's most popular prime-time host, have paid $13 million to five women to settle allegations of sexual misconduct. Kantar Media says the show brought in more than $100 million in advertising revenue in 2016. The stock lost 5 cents to $31.07 and fell 4.1 percent this week.

Wells Fargo dipped after an influential firm that advises big shareholders says most of its board of directors should be removed. Institutional Shareholder Services said the board isn't doing enough to oversee the bank's sales practices. A second firm also recommended that a large portion of the board be replaced at the Wells Fargo shareholder meeting later this month.

Wells Fargo recently agreed to pay $110 million to settle a class-action lawsuit after its employees opened more than 2 million accounts without customers' permission. CEO John Stumpf abruptly retired after the scandal came to light and thousands of employees were fired. On Friday Wells Fargo stock fell 53 cents, or 1 percent, to $54.84.

Gold finished up $4 at $1,257.30. Silver lost 10 cents to $18.15 an ounce. Copper declined 1 cent to $2.65 a pound.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline gained 2 cents to $1.75 a gallon. Heating oil rose 2 cent to $1.63 a gallon. Natural gas slid 7 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $3.26 per 1,000 cubic feet.

The dollar dipped to 111.15 yen from 110.78 yen. The euro fell to $1.0588 from $1.0646.

In Britain, the FTSE 100 index was 0.6 percent higher and the French CAC 40 rose 0.3 percent. Germany's DAX hardly budged. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.4 percent. The Kospi of South Korea lost 0.1 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was little changed.

4195

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 1.92 points or ▲ 0.01% on Monday, April 10, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... . . . . .
Dow_Jones 20,658.02 ▲ 1.92 ▲ 0.01%
Nasdaq____ 5,880.93 ▲ 3.11 ▲ 0.05% .
S&P_500___ 2,357.16 ▲ 1.62 ▲ 0.07% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.99 ▼ -0.01 ▼ -0.37% .
. . . . . . . . .
NYSE Volume 2,780,935,000 . . . . . . .
Nasdaq Volume 1,611,567,750 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Europe . . . . . .
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change....... .
FTSE_100 7,348.94 ▼ -0.43 ▼ -0.01% .
DAX_____ 12,200.52 ▼ -24.54 ▼ -0.20% .
CAC_40__ 5,107.45 ▼ -27.82 ▼ -0.54% .
. . . . . . . . .
Asia Pacific . . . . . .
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…...... . . . .
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,948.90 ▲ 46.30 ▲ 0.78% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,269.39 ▼ -17.22 ▼ -0.52% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,882.54 ▲ 9.17 ▲ 0.09% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,797.88 ▲ 133.25 ▲ 0.71% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,262.18 ▼ -5.12 ▼ -0.02% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,181.45 ▲ 4.18 ▲ 0.13% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,238.86 ▼ -4.90 ▼ -0.07% .



http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stock-indexes-edge-higher-142627403.html

US stock indexes eke out tiny gains, led by energy

ALEX VEIGA

U.S. stock indexes eked out tiny gains Monday as news of several corporate deals helped lift the market.

Energy stocks led the gainers as the price of crude oil rose for the fifth day in a row. Phone companies were the biggest laggard. Gold fell and the dollar weakened versus the yen and euro.

"There's not a lot of impetus to move markets today," said David Schiegoleit, managing director at the Private Client Reserve at U.S. Bank. "The market is just biding time until we get more data."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 1.62 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,357.16. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.92 points, or 0.01 percent, to 20,658.02. The Nasdaq composite index added 3.11 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,880.93.

Bond prices rose. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 2.36 percent from 2.38 percent late Friday.

The major indexes veered lower soon after the market opened on Monday, but moved into positive territory by midday. They spent much of the afternoon drifting between small gains and losses.

Trading was mostly quiet ahead of the Good Friday holiday, when U.S. markets will be closed. In addition, no major economic reports are due out this week, though the next cycle of company earnings reports kicks off on Wednesday.

"There are a lot of things coming up on the horizon, with earnings, Fed-speak and things like that," said Schiegoleit. "In terms of everything else, the market is in a wait-and-see mode."

Several oil industry stocks got a boost from rising crude prices. Hess climbed $1.92, or 4 percent, to $49.97. Rig operator Transocean rose 32 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $12.75.

Benchmark crude oil closed higher for the fifth day in a row, adding 84 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $53.08 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, gained 74 cents, or 1.3 percent, at $55.98 a barrel in London.

Traders bid up shares in several companies announcing deals.

Among them were trucking companies Swift Transportation and Knight Transportation, which agreed to combine in an all-stock deal. Swift shareholders will own a majority of the company, which will be called Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings. Swift's shares added $4.75, or 23.7 percent, to $24.77, while Knight gained $4.10, or 13.4 percent, to $34.75.

Straight Path Communications more than doubled after the wireless spectrum license company agreed to be acquired by AT&T in a deal valued at $1.25 billion. Straight Path's shares gained $55.16, or 151.2 percent, to $91.64. AT&T slipped 21 cents to $40.38.

The whiff of a potential company sale also drew investors to buy up shares in Whole Foods Market.

The company's stock jumped 10 percent after Jana Partners bought an 8.8 percent stake in the supermarket chain. Three Jana employees plan to run for spots on the board and seek to launch a review of options for the company, including a potential sale. The stock was the biggest gainer in the S&P 500, adding $3.10 to $34.17.

A management change and brighter outlook helped lift Rent-A-Center sharply higher.

The furniture and appliance rental company said Mark Speese, its founder and chairman, will return as CEO. Speese has been the company's interim CEO the last three months. Rent-A-Center also issued an optimistic 2018 forecast. The stock climbed 69 cents, or 7.2 percent, to $10.29.

Major stock indexes overseas were mixed Monday.

Germany's DAX inched down 0.2 percent, while France's CAC 40 lost 0.5 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 was flat. Earlier in Asia, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.7, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.9 percent. South Korea's Kospi fell 0.9 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was steady.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline gained 1 cent to $1.76 a gallon. Heating oil rose 2 cents to $1.65 a gallon. Natural gas slid 2 cents to $3.24 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Among metals, gold finished down $3.40 at $1,253.90. Silver lost 24 cents to $17.92 an ounce. Copper declined 4 cents to $2.60 a pound.

In currency trading, the dollar fell to 110.94 yen from 111.15 yen late Friday. The euro strengthened to $1.0596 from $1.0588.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -6.72 points or ▼ -0.03% on Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... . . . . .
Dow_Jones 20,651.30 ▼ -6.72 ▼ -0.03% .
Nasdaq____ 5,866.77 ▼ -14.15 ▼ -0.24% .
S&P_500___ 2,353.78 ▼ -3.38 ▼ -0.14% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.93 ▼ -0.06 ▼ -1.94% .
. . . . . . . . .
NYSE Volume 3,098,688,750 . . . . . . .
Nasdaq Volume 1,820,574,880 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Europe . . . . . .
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change....... .
FTSE_100 7,365.50 ▲ 16.56 ▲ 0.23% .
DAX_____ 12,139.35 ▼ -61.17 ▼ -0.50% .
CAC_40__ 5,101.86 ▼ -5.58 ▼ -0.11% .
. . . . . . . . .
Asia Pacific . . . . . .
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…...... . . . .
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,964.60 ▲ 15.70 ▲ 0.26% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,288.97 ▲ 19.57 ▲ 0.60% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,832.42 ▼ -50.12 ▼ -0.51% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,747.87 ▼ -50.01 ▼ -0.27% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,088.46 ▼ -173.72 ▼ -0.72% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,174.75 ▼ -6.70 ▼ -0.21% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,254.38 ▲ 15.52 ▲ 0.21% .





http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stock-indexes-slip-early-143413319.html

US stock indexes end little changed; oil price recovers

ALEX VEIGA

The major U.S. stock indexes barely budged Tuesday on another day of mostly light trading ahead of the Easter holiday weekend.

Technology stocks declined the most, while real estate companies notched the biggest gains. Oil prices recovered after an early slide. Bond yields fell and the price of gold rose as investors kept an eye on rising geopolitical tensions.

"Heading into the holiday weekend, people are a little bit nervous to add on to their positions," said JJ Kinahan, chief market strategist at TD Ameritrade.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 3.38 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,353.78. The Dow Jones industrial average slipped 6.72 points, or 0.03 percent, to 20,651.30. The Nasdaq composite index slid 14.15 points, or 0.2 percent, to 5,866.77.

Small-company stocks bucked the downward trend. The Russell 2000 index rose 9.86 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,376.95. Rising stocks outnumbered declining ones on the New York Stock Exchange.

Major indexes started off in the red early Tuesday and held their course the rest of the day as traders monitored the latest headlines on North Korea and Russia-U.S. relations.

North Korea said there could be "catastrophic consequences" after the U.S. ordered the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and its battle group to waters off the Korean Peninsula. Nerves were already on edge with U.S.-South Korea war games underway, following recent ballistic missile launches by the North that have rattled neighboring countries.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was in Moscow to meet with Russian officials about the Syria civil war.

Wall Street's so-called "fear index," known as the VIX, surged 7.3 percent to its highest level since November. Government bonds also reflected growing unease among investors. The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year note fell to 2.30 percent from 2.36 percent late Monday. As bond prices rise, yields drop.

And gold, often sought out by investors in times of global uncertainty, rose $20.30, or 1.6 percent, to $1,274.20 an ounce.

"One of our predictions this year is we're going to have higher volatility," said Bob Doll, chief equity strategist at Nuveen Asset Management. "It's to be expected with all the economic uncertainties, all the geopolitical uncertainties."

A dash of favorable economic news failed to lift the market. The Labor Department reported that job openings rose 2.1 percent in February to a seasonally adjusted 5.7 million. Job openings have increased 3.2 percent over the past 12 months.

Weak forecasts from some companies weighed on the market.

MTS Systems slumped 13.2 percent after the maker of mechanical testing systems issued disappointing earnings and sales forecasts for the year. The stock shed $7.10 to $46.70.

Hub Group sank 14.2 percent after the transportation management company forecast weak first-quarter results, citing high truck capacity that's led to big price cuts. The stock lost $6.70 to $40.55.

The fallout from a video showing a United Continental passenger dragged off an overbooked flight in Chicago on Sunday continued to pull down the airline's shares. The stock slid 81 cents, or 1.1, to $70.71.

Investors cheered the latest batch of corporate deal news.

Supervalu climbed 5.5 percent after the supermarket chain agreed to buy grocery distributor Unified Grocers for $375 million, most of which will go to pay Unified Grocers' debt. Shares in Supervalu added 21 cents to $4.

RetailMeNot vaulted 48.4 percent after the online coupon company agreed to be acquired by payment and marketing company Harland Clark Holdings for $11.60 a share, or $555 million. RetailMeNot picked up $3.75 to $11.50.

Major stock indexes overseas were mixed.

In Europe, Germany's DAX fell 0.5 percent, while France's CAC 40 slipped 0.1 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 gained 0.2 percent. Earlier in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 stock index slipped 0.3 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng sank 0.7 percent. South Korea's Kospi fell 0.4 percent. Australia's S&P ASX 200 gained 0.3 percent.

Rebounding from an early slide, benchmark crude oil rose 32 cents to close at $53.40 a barrel in New York, its sixth gain in a row. Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, added 25 cents to close at $56.23 a barrel.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline was little changed at $1.76 a gallon. Heating oil also held steady at $1.65 a gallon. Natural gas slid 9 cents, or 2.7 percent, to $3.15 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Among metals, silver gained 34 cents, or 1.9 percent, to $18.25 an ounce. Copper was little changed at $2.61 a pound.

The dollar fell to 109.69 yen from 110.94 yen late Monday. The euro rose to $1.0608 from $1.0596.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com . . . . . . .
U.S. markets will be closed Friday for the Good Friday holiday.
. . . . . . . . .
The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -59.44 points or ▼ -0.29% on Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... . . . . .
Dow_Jones 20,591.86 ▼ -59.44 ▼ -0.29% .
Nasdaq____ 5,836.16 ▼ -30.61 ▼ -0.52% .
S&P_500___ 2,344.93 ▼ -8.85 ▼ -0.38% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.93 ▲ 0.00 ▲ 0.03% .
. . . . . . . . .
NYSE Volume 3,196,490,000 . . . . . . .
Nasdaq Volume 1,660,857,750 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Europe . . . . . .
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change....... .
FTSE_100 7,348.99 ▼ -16.51 ▼ -0.22% .
DAX_____ 12,154.70 ▲ 15.35 ▲ 0.13% .
CAC_40__ 5,101.11 ▼ -0.74 ▼ -0.01% .
. . . . . . . . .
Asia Pacific . . . . . .
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…...... . . . .
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,968.90 ▲ 4.30 ▲ 0.07% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,273.83 ▼ -15.14 ▼ -0.46% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,817.68 ▼ -14.74 ▼ -0.15% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,552.61 ▼ -195.26 ▼ -1.04% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,313.50 ▲ 225.04 ▲ 0.93% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,186.01 ▲ 11.26 ▲ 0.35% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,251.54 ▼ -2.84 ▼ -0.04% .


http://www.wbrc.com/story/35132180/us-stock-indexes-post-modest-losses-bond-yields-slump

US stock indexes post modest losses; bond yields slump

By ALEX VEIGA
AP Business Writer

Industrial and materials companies led U.S. stocks modestly lower Wednesday on another day of subdued trading ahead of the long Easter holiday weekend.

The slide marked the second decline in a row for the stock market, extending its losses for the month.

Energy stocks also fell as oil prices snapped a six-day winning streak. Utilities, phone companies and other high-dividend stocks were among the biggest gainers. Bond prices rose, sending yields lower.

"The market is kind of on hold until we start getting earnings reports and you start to read the body language on what managements are saying," said Thomas Martin, portfolio manager at GLOBALT Investments in Atlanta. "We're getting this slow churning really until we start getting some information."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index slid 8.85 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,344.93. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 59.44 points, or 0.3 percent, to 20,591.86. The Nasdaq composite index lost 30.61 points, or 0.5 percent, to 5,836.16.

Small-company stocks did far worse than the rest of the market. The Russell 2000 index gave up 17.75 points, or 1.3 percent, to 1,359.20.

Twice as many stocks fell as rose on the New York Stock Exchange, while trading in declining stocks was 2.5 times as heavy as that of stocks that closed higher.

The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year note fell to 2.25 percent from 2.32 percent late Tuesday. That's its lowest yield since November.

"That's indicative of people, once more, taking that opinion of being risk-off, or not willing to make a bet that equity prices are going to be up because of higher earnings to be reported here for the first quarter," said Terry DuFrene, global investment specialist at J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

Companies are due to begin disclosing their latest quarterly results over the next few weeks, beginning on Thursday with several big banks.

Among the stocks that helped pull the market lower Tuesday was Tractor Supply, which sank 8.3 percent. The farm equipment retailer said sales of seasonal goods fell during the first quarter. The stock fell the most among companies in the S&P 500, shedding $5.86 to $64.61.

Industrials sector stocks were the biggest decliner in the S&P 500. Fastenal led the sector slide, tumbling 8 percent after the maker of industrial coatings and construction fasteners disclosed that its business was hurt by higher freight expenses and inventory costs. The stock lost $4.05 to $46.29.

Other laggards in the sector included United Rentals, which slid $4.80, or 3.8 percent, to $121.13, and Rockwell Automation, which shed $5.88, or 3.8 percent, to $150.23.

Investors bid up shares in Blackberry after arbitrators awarded the smartphone maker $814.9 million to resolve a dispute with Qualcomm over royalty overpayments. The stock gained $1.23, or 16 percent, to $8.93.

Major stock indexes overseas were mixed.

In Europe, Germany's DAX rose 0.1 percent, while France's CAC 40 dipped less than 0.1 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.2 percent. Earlier in Asia, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index slid 1 percent after the dollar fell under 110 yen for the first time in five months, pressuring the country's exporters. Hong Kong's Hang Seng reversed its losses in the final hour of trading, rising 0.9 percent. South Korea's Kospi climbed 0.2 percent.

Benchmark U.S. crude snapped a six-day winning streak, losing 29 cents to close at $53.11 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, fell 37 cents to close at $55.86 a barrel in London.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline dipped 2 cents to $1.74 a gallon. Heating oil held steady at $1.65 a gallon. Natural gas rose 4 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $3.19 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Among metals, gold rose $3.90 to $1,278.10 an ounce. Silver gained 5 cents to $18.30 an ounce. Copper fell 6 cents to $2.55 a pound.

The dollar had been losing ground much of the day, but recovered by midafternoon. By late afternoon, however, the U.S. currency took a sharp turn lower after President Donald Trump said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the dollar was "getting too strong."

In late trading, the dollar weakened to 109.10 yen, down from 109.69 yen late Tuesday. The euro strengthened to $1.0669 from $1.0608.

U.S. markets will be closed Friday for the Good Friday holiday.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com . . . . . . .
U.S. markets will be closed Friday for the Good Friday holiday
. . . . . . . . .
The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -138.61 points or ▼ -0.67% on Thursday, April 13, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... . . . . .
Dow_Jones 20,453.25 ▼ -138.61 ▼ -0.67% .
Nasdaq____ 5,805.15 ▼ -31.01 ▼ -0.53% .
S&P_500___ 2,328.95 ▼ -15.98 ▼ -0.68% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.89 ▼ -0.04 ▼ -1.43% .
. . . . . . . . .
NYSE Volume 3,142,564,000 . . . . . . .
Nasdaq Volume 1,591,966,250 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Europe . . . . . .
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change....... .
FTSE_100 7,327.59 ▼ -21.40 ▼ -0.29% .
DAX_____ 12,109.00 ▼ -45.70 ▼ -0.38% .
CAC_40__ 5,071.10 ▼ -30.01 ▼ -0.59% .
. . . . . . . . .
Asia Pacific . . . . . .
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…...... . . . .
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,925.90 ▼ -43.00 ▼ -0.72% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,275.96 ▲ 2.13 ▲ 0.07% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,836.68 ▲ 19.00 ▲ 0.19% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,426.84 ▼ -125.77 ▼ -0.68% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,261.66 ▼ -51.84 ▼ -0.21% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,169.24 ▼ -16.77 ▼ -0.53% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,229.80 ▼ -21.74 ▼ -0.30% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stock-indexes-edge-higher-142513001.html

US stocks close lower for third time in 3 days

ALEX VEIGA

Investors were in a selling mood at the end of a mostly subdued week of trading, sending U.S. stocks lower for the third day in a row Thursday.

Energy stocks led the broad decline, which gathered momentum in the final hour of trading ahead of the long Easter holiday weekend. The slide marked the lowest close for the stock market since Feb. 13 and came on a day when several major banks reported their latest quarterly results, kicking off the company earnings season.

Traders also weighed the potential for rising geopolitical tensions following news that the U.S. attacked an Islamic State tunnel complex in eastern Afghanistan with the largest non-nuclear weapon ever used in combat by the U.S. military.

Bond yields continued to drop. Gold surged to its highest level since early November. The weakened versus the yen and euro.

"Investors have plenty of reasons to be cautious and have become more cautious in recent weeks," said Erik Davidson, chief investment officer at Wells Fargo Private Bank. "The market had a great run and it just hasn't been given a lot of reasons for much follow-through on that."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index slid 15.98 points, or 0.7 percent, to 2,328.95. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 138.61 points, or 0.7 percent, to 20,453.25. The Nasdaq composite index lost 31.01 points, or 0.5 percent, to 5,805.15.

Small-company stocks fell more than the rest of the market. The Russell 2000 index lost 13.96 points, or 1 percent, to 1,345.24. More stocks fell than rose on the New York Stock Exchange.

The decline deepened the market's losses for the month.

Bond prices edged higher. The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year note fell to 2.23 percent from 2.24 percent late Wednesday.

Gold, often sought out by investors in times of global uncertainty, climbed $10.40 to $1,288.50 an ounce.

Oil prices inched higher as traders shrugged off a report by the International Energy Agency said that demand growth for oil will slow for a second consecutive year this year.

Benchmark U.S. crude rose 7 cents to close at $53.18 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, added 3 cents to close at $55.89 per barrel in London.

Even so, energy stocks fell sharply, led by Chesapeake Energy. The stock was the biggest decliner in the S&P 500, shedding 26 cents, or 4.2 percent, to $5.89.

After a week of mostly subdued trading without major new economic data or company news, investors got a look at the first batch of big bank earnings Thursday.

Several banks reported better-than-expected results thanks to improved revenue from trading and rising interest rates. That gave the stocks a boost early on, but their gains faded.

Citigroup slipped 47 cents to $58.04, while JPMorgan Chase shed $1, or 1.2 percent, to $84.40. PNC Financial Services slid 20 cents to $115.80.

"A lot of investors were looking through the earnings releases today and trying to get a sense of demand for loans, and I don't think they're liking what they're seeing," Davidson said.

Wells Fargo gave up 3.3 percent after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway sold some of its stock in the lender to avoid being designated a bank holding company. Wells also reported flat quarterly earnings, reflecting continuing struggles to recover from its sales practice scandal. The stock lost $1.77 to $51.35.

Pier 1 Imports' latest quarterly results failed to impress investors.

The company's shares slumped 9.1 percent after the home decor retailer reported disappointing sales. The stock slid 66 cents to $6.59.

U.S. Steel fell 5.9 percent as investors weighed the impact of a wastewater spill at one of the company's steel plants in northern Indiana. Federal officials were waiting for the results of tests aimed at determining whether a potentially carcinogenic chemical entered Lake Michigan during the wastewater spill on Tuesday. The company's shares were off $1.84 to $29.42.

Major stock indexes overseas closed mostly lower.

In Europe, Germany's DAX slid 0.4 percent, while France's CAC-40 shed 0.6 percent. London's FTSE-100 lost 0.3 percent. In Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 fell 0.7 percent and Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 lost 0.7 percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slid 0.2 percent after a report showed China's export growth accelerated in March, while import growth cooled. Seoul's Kospi added 0.9 percent.

The dollar continued to weaken a day after President Donald Trump said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the dollar was "getting too strong" and that he won't declare China a currency manipulator.

The remarks helped push the yen to its highest level since mid-November, just after the presidential election. The dollar slid to 109.16 yen from 109.71 yen late Wednesday. The euro strengthened to $1.0612 from $1.0598.

In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline dipped 1 cent to $1.73 a gallon. Heating oil held steady at $1.65 a gallon. Natural gas rose 4 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $3.23 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Among metals, silver gained 21 cents to $18.51 an ounce. Copper added 3 cents to $2.57 a pound.

U.S. markets will be closed Friday for the Good Friday holiday.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 183.67 points or ▲ 0.90% on Monday, April 17, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... . . . . .
Dow_Jones 20,636.92 ▲ 183.67 ▲ 0.90% .
Nasdaq____ 5,856.79 ▲ 51.64 ▲ 0.89% .
S&P_500___ 2,349.01 ▲ 20.06 ▲ 0.86% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.91 ▲ 0.03 ▲ 0.87% .
. . . . . . . . .
NYSE Volume 2,822,782,750 . . . . . . .
Nasdaq Volume 1,370,933,250 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Europe . . . . . .
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change....... .
FTSE_100 7,327.59 ▲ 0.00 ▲ 0.00% .
DAX_____ 12,109.00 ▼ -45.70 ▼ -0.38% .
CAC_40__ 5,071.10 ▼ -30.01 ▼ -0.59% .
. . . . . . . . .
Asia Pacific . . . . . .
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…...... . . . .
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,925.90 ▼ -43.00 ▼ -0.72% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,222.17 ▼ -23.90 ▼ -0.74% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,716.40 ▼ -16.53 ▼ -0.17% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,355.26 ▲ 19.63 ▲ 0.11% .
Hang_Seng.__ 24,261.66 ▼ -51.84 ▼ -0.21% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,138.30 ▼ -30.94 ▼ -0.98% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,229.80 ▼ -21.74 ▼ -0.30% .

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stocks-start-higher-led-142024488.html

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks bounced back from recent losses Monday after the Chinese government said that country's economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the first quarter. Banks jumped as interest rates recovered.

After losses in three of the last four weeks, stocks had their best day in more than a month. The largest gains went to industries that would benefit the most from faster global economic growth.

Among banks, the leaders included M&T Bank, which became the latest financial company to report strong first-quarter results. Technology companies were led by chipmaker Nvidia and Google parent company Alphabet, while online retail giant Amazon and streaming video company Netflix also made large gains.

"It was good news to see a positive number coming out of the world's second-largest economy," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial. "It was the strongest GDP reading in six quarters, and much of it was based on their infrastructure spending and also the housing market."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 20.06 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,349.01. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 183.67 points, or 0.9 percent, to 20,636.92. The Nasdaq composite jumped 51.64 points, or 0.9 percent, to 5,856.79. The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks soared 15.94 points, or 1.2 percent, to 1,361.18.

China's recovering economy grew another 6.9 percent in the first quarter. In 2016 it grew at its slowest pace in almost 30 years, and the government spent more money on construction of infrastructure such as roads and bridges in response. Relatively cheap credit also boosted property sales.

Medical device maker Alere surged after it accepted a modified buyout offer from Abbott Laboratories. Abbott agreed to buy Alere for $56 per share, or $5.8 billion, more than a year ago. But it filed a lawsuit to end the deal after Alere recalled a key product, delayed filing a financial statement, and faced a Justice Department investigation into its business outside the U.S.

Under the new agreement Abbott will pay $51 a share, or about $5.3 billion, and Alere climbed $6.74, or 15.9 percent, to $49.05. It had traded as low as $31.47 last July, as investors worried the deal would fall apart after news of the investigation broke. Abbott rose 64 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $43.31.

Arconic jumped after the company said Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld agreed to step down after the board of directors discovered that he sent a letter to Arconic's largest shareholder, activist investment firm Elliott Management, without telling the board. Arconic said that was "poor judgment." It didn't say what Kleinfeld wrote in the letter.

Arconic makes aluminum, titanium and nickel parts for planes, cars and electronics. It was spun off from aluminum company Alcoa last year. Elliott has been pushing the company to replace Kleinfeld. The stock gained 79 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $26.69.

Bond prices slipped. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.25 percent from 2.24 percent. Banks are the worst-performing part of the market recently thanks to sharp declines in bond yields and interest rates.

Wireless spectrum license company Straight Path Communications climbed after it said it might get a new buyout offer. A week ago it agreed to be bought by AT&T for about $1.25 billion. Straight Path said it was contacted by another company Thursday. Straight Path stock rose $19.86, or 21.7 percent, to $111.56. Investors are now valuing the company at $1.39 billion.

Eli Lilly and Incyte stumbled after the Food and Drug Administration refused to approve Olumiant, a pill for the immune disorder rheumatoid arthritis. The companies may have to run more studies of the drug, which could further delay its approval and force them to spend more.

Lilly has high hopes for Olumiant because it's a pill while most other new rheumatoid arthritis drugs are injections. Lilly lost $3.50, or 4.1 percent, to $82.38 and Incyte sank $14.77, or 10.5 percent, to $126.07.

Pretzel, nuts and salty snack maker Snyder's-Lance tumbled $6.16, or 15.4 percent, to $33.76 after it gave a weak first-quarter forecast that included more spending on marketing and lower profit margins and then slashed its forecast for the year.

Netflix climbed 3 percent to $147.25 Monday, but slumped 1.5 percent in aftermarket trading as it didn't gain as many subscribers in the first quarter as investors hoped. Its profit guidance also fell short of analyst estimates.

Benchmark U.S. crude lost 53 cents, or 1 percent, to $52.65 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, fell 53 cents to $55.36 per barrel in London. Energy companies lagged the rest of the market.

Wholesale gasoline slipped 2 cents to $1.72 a gallon. Heating oil fell 2 cents to $1.63 a gallon. Natural gas decreased 6 cents, or 2 percent, to $3.16 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Gold rose $3.40 to $1,291.90 an ounce. Silver remained at $18.51 an ounce. Copper picked up 3 cents to $2.60 a pound.

The dollar fell to 108.59 yen from 109.16 yen. The euro rose to $1.0642 from $1.0612.

Markets in Hong Kong, France, Germany and Britain were all closed for the Easter holiday. In Japan the Nikkei 225 index gained 0.1 percent and South Korea's Kospi added 0.5 percent.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com . . . . . . .
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The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -113.64 points or ▼ -0.55% on Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Symbol …........Last …......Change....... . . . . .
Dow_Jones 20,523.28 ▼ -113.64 ▼ -0.55% .
Nasdaq____ 5,849.47 ▼ -7.32 ▼ -0.12% .
S&P_500___ 2,342.19 ▼ -6.82 ▼ -0.29% .
30_Yr_Bond____ 2.84 ▼ -0.07 ▼ -2.44% .
. . . . . . . . .
NYSE Volume 3,270,265,500 . . . . . . .
Nasdaq Volume 1,619,326,500 . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Europe . . . . . .
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change....... .
FTSE_100 7,147.50 ▼ -180.09 ▼ -2.46% .
DAX_____ 12,000.44 ▼ -108.56 ▼ -0.90% .
CAC_40__ 4,990.25 ▼ -80.85 ▼ -1.59% .
. . . . . . . . .
Asia Pacific . . . . . .
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…...... . . . .
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,868.70 ▼ -57.20 ▼ -0.97% .
Shanghai_Comp 3,196.71 ▼ -25.45 ▼ -0.79% .
Taiwan_Weight 9,746.56 ▲ 30.16 ▲ 0.31% .
Nikkei_225___ 18,418.59 ▲ 63.33 ▲ 0.35% .
Hang_Seng.__ 23,924.54 ▼ -337.12 ▼ -1.39% .
Strait_Times.__ 3,137.54 ▼ -0.76 ▼ -0.02% .
NZX_50_Index_ 7,233.61 ▲ 3.81 ▲ 0.05% .


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/sharp-losses-banks-health-care-142119823.html

Johnson & Johnson, Goldman sneeze and stocks catch a cold

MARLEY JAY

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks fell Tuesday after weak first-quarter reports from Johnson & Johnson and Goldman Sachs frustrated investors who hope that company earnings are on the rise. Health care companies lost the most.

Wall Street has high hopes for company earnings this spring, and weak results from the world's largest health care products company and one of the biggest financial firms had them concerned. Johnson & Johnson took its biggest one-day loss in a year. Investors also looked for safety after the British government called for a surprise early election next month. Bond prices and the pound rose and European stock indexes tumbled.

Kate Warne, an investment strategist for Edward Jones, said Goldman Sachs and Johnson & Johnson had a dramatic effect on stocks because investors expect a very strong round of company earnings reports this month. According to S&P Global Markets Intelligence, investors expect first-quarter earnings for S&P 500 companies to rise almost 10 percent compared to last year. That would be the biggest jump since 2014.

"The reason it's so important is that the stronger growth is likely to support higher stock prices even in the absence of pro-growth policies from the Trump administration," she said.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index shed 6.82 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,342.19. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 113.64 points, or 0.6 percent, to 20,523.28. Goldman Sachs was responsible for most of that loss.

The Nasdaq composite fell 7.32 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,849.47. The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks recovered from an early loss and rose 0.71 points, close to 0.1 percent, to 1,361.89.

On Monday stocks made their biggest gain in six weeks. But over the last few weeks they've mostly drifted lower while bond yields have fallen to five-month lows.

Johnson & Johnson stumbled after investors were disappointed with its sales. Revenue from its biggest-selling drug, the Crohn's disease treatment Remicade, fell 6 percent. Meanwhile growth for many consumer health products slowed, and payers demanded bigger rebates on treatments for cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, and primary care products.

The maker of Tylenol and Band-Aids lost $3.90, or 3.1 percent, to $121.82.

Prescription drug distributor Cardinal Health also dropped after it gave weak profit forecasts for this year and next as drug prices continue to fall. It will also pay $6.1 billion to buy a group of businesses from medical device maker Medtronic. Cardinal Health sank $9.44, or 11.5 percent, to $72.39. Competitors AmerisourceBergen and McKesson each fell about 5 percent.

Goldman Sachs' revenue fell short of investor projections in the first quarter as its highly-regarded trading desks didn't perform as well as their competitors. The stock gave up $10.6, or 4.7 percent, to $215.59, its biggest loss since June. The stock reached all-time highs above $250 a share in March.

British Prime Minister Theresa May reversed her position by calling for an early general election in June. May formally triggered Britain's exit from the European Union last month and she intends to seek a stronger parliamentary mandate. The pound climbed after May's announcement on the hope that the election will result in May getting a better deal for Britain in its talks with the EU. It rose to $1.2848 from $1.2563.

European stocks fell, as the vote creates even more political uncertainty in Europe days before the first round of French presidential voting. Polls don't give a clear edge to any of the four leading candidates ahead of Sunday's vote. The top two will advance to a May 7 runoff and investors are unsettled by the chance that either of the far-left or far-right candidates could pull off a victory. Britain's FTSE 100 dropped 2.5 percent and France's CAC 40 lost 1.6 percent. In Germany the DAX shed 0.9 percent.

As investors snapped up government bonds, their prices jumped. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.18 percent, its lowest since Nov. 11. It finished at 2.25 percent Monday.

Investors also bought shares of companies that pay big dividends. Household goods makers like Kraft Heinz and Molson Coors, along with utilities, real estate investment trusts and phone companies finished higher.

Streaming video company Netflix sagged after it didn't gain as many subscribers in the first quarter as investors hoped. Its second-quarter profit guidance also fell short of analyst estimates. Netflix lost $3.89, or 2.6 percent, to $143.36.

U.S. crude oil futures lost 24 cents to $52.41 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, lost 47 cents to $54.89 per barrel in London.

Wholesale gasoline fell 1 cent to $1.71 a gallon and heating oil dipped 1 cent to $1.62 a gallon. Natural gas lost 2 cents to $3.15 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Gold rose $2.20 to $1,294.10 an ounce. Silver skidded 24 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $18.27 an ounce. Copper fell 7 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $2.53 a pound.

The dollar slipped to 108.42 yen from 108.59 yen. The euro rose to $1.0730 from $1.0642.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index in Japan added 0.4 percent while South Korea's Kospi edged up 0.1 percent to 2,148.46. The Hang Seng of Hong Kong shed 1.4 percent.