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Dow Hits New 2011 High: What's Next?

Non-farm payrolls came in higher than analysts' forecasts and the unemployment rate fell to 8.8%. That good news sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a new 2011 high. At midday the Dow was up 78 points to 12,397 -- as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Except for a brief sell-off to the 11,500 level, the market has moved quickly to regain lost ground and is now at new highs. Last week the USDA's crop report was bullish for grains. It's not surprising that Caterpillar (CAT) led the charge, up 1.7%. But there are always some losers. Office Depot (ODP) fell 11% after reporting a fourth quarter loss and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (KKD), which also had a fourth quarter loss, fell 17%.

Continue reading Dow Hits New 2011 High: What's Next?

Closing Bell: Markets Open Higher, Pull Back Later (NEXS, CRA, URRE, CIGX, ACY, ESLR)

The DJIA gained 150 points in the first half hour of trading this morning, only to see the gains melt away after lunch. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 followed much the same pattern as a massive intervention by the G7 nations pushed the yen down by about 2.5% against the US dollar and the Fed freed some of the largest US banks either to resume or to increase dividend payments to shareholders.

The UN resolution authorizing a no-fly zone in Libya sent crude oil above $103/barrel before Libya announced that it would initiate a cease-fire, quelling some fears of a major military dust-up. In currency markets, the euro has traded above $1.41 for most of the day and the yen is trading just under 81. Gold prices rose again, by $12.40/ounce, to $1,416.40.

Dow Jones 11,858.52 +83.93 (0.71%)
S&P 500 1,279.21 +5.49 (0.43%)
Nasdaq 2,643.67 +7.62 (0.29%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Markets Open Higher, Pull Back Later (NEXS, CRA, URRE, CIGX, ACY, ESLR)

Crisis in Japan Creates More Demand for Commodities

In many parts of Japan, food products jumped. In some areas residents were told not to leave their homes. That alone is enough to create a fearful and hoarding mentality. Traders on the U.S. commodity exchanges didn't take long to work out how to play this. Pretty much across the board, prices rose.

Here are a few late prices:
  • WTI crude was up $3.67 per barrel to $101.67. Brent crude rose $2.10 per barrel to $110.62.
  • In the grain market, June wheat futures rose 48-2 cents per bushel to $7.10 per bushel.
  • Corn futures were up the 30 cent limit to $6.46 per bushel.

Continue reading Crisis in Japan Creates More Demand for Commodities

Closing Bell: Markets Recover Lost Ground on Better Economic News

US unemployment claims dropped to their lowest level since October 2008, with 385,000 new claims. The number of continuing claims also fell by 80,000. The headline consumer inflation index rose 0.5%, as expected, while core inflation rose 0.2%, a bit more than the 0.1% that had been forecast. Prices for WTI crude oil rose above $100/barrel again, up more than $3/barrel on fears of more unrest in Bahrain, which is seen by many as a proxy struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Gold prices also rose today, up about $8/ounce to $1,404.00.

Here are the numbers for late afternoon trading today:

Dow Jones 11,774.59 +161.29 (1.39%)
S&P 500 1,273.72 +16.84 (1.34%)
Nasdaq 2,636.05 +19.23 (0.73%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Markets Recover Lost Ground on Better Economic News

Closing Bell: Stocks Head Lower on Rising Oil and Tech Downgrade (ATRN, TOMO, WDC, RGEN, FXEN)

Stock markets opened a bit higher this morning, but turned south pretty quickly as rising prices for crude oil neared $107/barrel. Then a downgrade of the semiconductor sector from Wells Fargo analysts pushed indexes lower. WTI crude oil settled slightly above $105/barrel for the day, and gold is trading up $7.70, to $1,435.90/ounce. The dollar weakened against all major currencies as well, with the euro at one point rising above $1.40.

Here are the numbers for late afternoon trading today:

Dow Jones 12,090.03 -79.85 (-0.66%)
S&P 500 1,310.13 -11.02 (-0.83%)
Nasdaq 2,745.63 -39.04 (-1.40%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Stocks Head Lower on Rising Oil and Tech Downgrade (ATRN, TOMO, WDC, RGEN, FXEN)

U.S. Stock Futures Rise on Climbing Oil

U.S. stock futures are higher Monday morning as crude oil futures surged above $106 per barrel. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 37 points to 12,191 and futures on the S&P 500 stock index climbed 4.80 points to 1,325.10. Nasdaq 100 futures rose 12.75 points to 2,372.50.

Positive sentiment ruled the European markets today: STOXX Europe 600 Index has gained 0.61%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved up 0.79%.

Continue reading U.S. Stock Futures Rise on Climbing Oil

Closing Bell: Downgrades, Oil Overwhelm Employment Gains (MNOV, LEI, UDRL, BSQR, MRVL)

The US Department of Labor issued a good report on payroll gains (up 192,000) and unemployment, down a bit to 8.9%. But a downgrade on first-quarter earnings at some large US investment banks weighed on the market. And then of course, there was the jump of more than $2/barrel in the price of crude.

The price for WTI is now at its highest since 2008, at $104.85/barrel on fears that the turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East will get worse. Gold prices have risen as well, by more than $13, to $1,429.70/ounce. The euro broke over $1.40, but has pulled back a little as the US dollar continues to weaken.

Here are the numbers for late afternoon trading today:

Dow Jones 12,169.88 -88.32 (-0.72%)
S&P 500 1,321.15 -9.82 (-0.74%)
Nasdaq 2,784.67 -14.07 (-0.50%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Downgrades, Oil Overwhelm Employment Gains (MNOV, LEI, UDRL, BSQR, MRVL)

Closing Bell: Good Jobs Data, Lower Oil, Stoke Stocks (GTEC, ASGR, USAT, AMLN, CQP)

The markets have put on a strong rally today as a lower number of new jobless claims have set the stage for some strong numbers on employment, due tomorrow from the US Department of Labor. The median estimate on non-farm payroll employment is a gain of 185,000 jobs. Retail sales reports for February were mostly higher as well, adding a bit more impetus to stocks.

The other, bigger driver was crude oil, which fell sharply to just more than $100/barrel at noon, but then turned back higher, most likely on dollar weakness. The US dollar managed to stave off a euro run at $1.40, but that level is definitely in danger. Gold gave back some of yesterday's gains, finishing down at $1,416.00, off about 1.5%.

Here are the numbers for late afternoon trading today:

Dow Jones 12,258.20 +191.40 (1.59%)
S&P 500 1,330.97 +22.53 (1.72%)
Nasdaq 2,798.74 +50.67 (1.84%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Good Jobs Data, Lower Oil, Stoke Stocks (GTEC, ASGR, USAT, AMLN, CQP)

Closing Bell: Stocks Rise on Employment, But Limited by Oil Price (EDGW, MELA, ZAGG, DPTR, WTI)

The addition of 217,000 private sector jobs reported by ADP led the market opening higher this morning, but the gains have been hemmed in by a sharp jump in the price of crude oil. Many investors fear that the continued rise in crude oil prices could squelch the economic recovery. More intense fighting in Libya pushed WTI crude solidly above $101/barrel today, while Brent crude remained above $115/barrel. Gold has jumped $6.50/ounce, to $1,437.20, and the US dollar was weaker against the euro, pound, and yen again today.

Here are the numbers for late afternoon trading today:

Dow Jones 12,066.80 +8.78 (0.07%)
S&P 500 1,308.44 +2.11 (0.16%)
Nasdaq 2,748.07 +10.66 (0.39%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Stocks Rise on Employment, But Limited by Oil Price (EDGW, MELA, ZAGG, DPTR, WTI)

Closing Bell: Buffett Cheers Up Equity Markets

When the man who is the country's most successful investor says it's time to buy, that usually means Warren Buffett is thinking that stocks are now, or are about to become, cheap. Expectations for more mergers and acquisitions in 2011 are also high. Two Fed bank presidents also said that further injections of liquidity should not be ruled out going forward. WTI crude oil fell slightly today, to just a bit above $97/barrel, and North Sea Brent crude closed below $112/barrel. Gold is up very slightly, to $1,410/ounce.

Here are the numbers for late afternoon trading today:

Dow Jones 12,226.34 +95.89 (0.79%)
S&P 500 1,327.22 +7.34 (0.56%)
Nasdaq 2,782.27 +1.22 (0.04%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Buffett Cheers Up Equity Markets

Closing Bell: What Geopolitical Scare? (AAPL, DMD, NTRI, OVTI, SRZ, TRLG)

Today brought a recovery rally as no more solid developments came out of Libya despite the continuous turmoil. A lower revision to GDP came from state spending and a University of Michigan confidence reading at a 3-year high that came out was from before the Libya situation exploded.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 12,130.45 +61.95 (0.51%)
S&P 500 1,319.88 +13.78 (1.06%)
Nasdaq 2,781.05 +43.15 (1.58%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: What Geopolitical Scare? (AAPL, DMD, NTRI, OVTI, SRZ, TRLG)

Closing Bell: Stocks Try to Hold Early Gains

Positive earnings reports have pushed the major stock indexes to levels not seen in more than two years -- and today's market is continuing along the same path. Recent political unrest in Bahrain, Yemen, and Libya has not had an impact yet on equities, but there could be added political risk to the supply of oil from the Middle East. Oil prices are up above $87/barrel again, and gold is nearing $1,400/ounce again. Currency markets are bullish on the euro and the British pound, with the dollar giving up some power on expectations of interest rate hikes in both the UK and the Eurozone.

Here are the numbers for late afternoon trading today:

Dow Jones 12,391.25 +73.11 (0.59%)
S&P 500 1,343.01 +2.58 (0.19%)
Nasdaq 2,833.95 +2.37 (0.08%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Stocks Try to Hold Early Gains

Closing Bell: No Killing This Bull (IO, GMCR, SBUX, EGPT, HLX, LNG)

Despite a rise in jobless claims, food inflation, worries about Iran sending a war vessel through the Suez Canal, and despite ongoing Mid-East turmoil, the market rally continues. The S&P 500 has now literally doubled since the March-2009 lows. CEOs are becoming more confident again in a survey today.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 12,318.14 +29.97 (0.24%)
S&P 500 1,340.43 +4.11 (0.31%)
Nasdaq 2,831.58 +6.02 (0.21%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: No Killing This Bull (IO, GMCR, SBUX, EGPT, HLX, LNG)

Closing Bell: Lack of Catalysts (WMT, GENZ, SNY, LLNW, DELL, GLD, NYX)

Republicans are seeking an extra $61 billion in budget cuts. Auto sales were seen as having another great year. Homebuilders remain pessimistic and talk of food inflation keeps going on. Even the huge sells from Warren Buffett in his newest holdings failed to inspire.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 12,226.64 -41.55 (-0.34%)
S&P 500 1,328.02 -4.30 (-0.32%)
Nasdaq 2,804.35 -12.83 (-0.46%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: Lack of Catalysts (WMT, GENZ, SNY, LLNW, DELL, GLD, NYX)

Closing Bell: Mixed Fanfare on Valentine's Day (GMCR, SBUX, EGPT, MU, NYX, CME, FLWS)

Tech stocks were mostly higher today. The broader indexes of the DJIA and S&P 500 were too close to call until the final minutes of trading. The markets were just that choppy today, even despite the rise seen in Asian markets.

Here were today's closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 12,268.19 -5.07 (-0.04%)
S&P 500 1,332.32 +3.17 (0.24%)
Nasdaq 2,817.18 +7.74 (0.28%)

Top Analyst Calls

Continue reading Closing Bell: Mixed Fanfare on Valentine's Day (GMCR, SBUX, EGPT, MU, NYX, CME, FLWS)

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA+5.7512,883.95
NASDAQ+11.782,915.86
S&P 500+2.911,349.96

Last updated: February 08, 2012: 10:17 PM

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