The DJIA was down more than 145 points at its lowest point of the trading session
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was off 145 points at its session low, as weak March auto sales, a mixed batch of manufacturing data, and new challenges for President Donald Trump pressured investor sentiment. The Dow switched gears shortly after lunchtime, though, eventually paring nearly all of its losses. Elsewhere, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) kicked off the historically strong month of April in the red as material stocks weighed, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) lagged its peers -- even after notching a record intraday high in early trading.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- 5 global ETFs that could outperform this month.
- How recent Panera options traders may be cashing in big.
- The updates on cancer treatments that sent drug stocks Novocure and Incyte blasting higher.
- Plus, Tesla edges out Ford Motor; 4 reasons we didn't trade Advanced Micro Devices calls; and Macau data lifts casino stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 20,650.21) pared its triple-digit deficit to close down 13 points, or 0.06%. Eighteen of the 30 Dow stocks settled lower, led by DuPont's 0.8% drop. UnitedHealth stock paced the 11 advancers with its 1% gain, while McDonald's was unchanged.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,358.84) gave back 3.9 points, or 0.2%. After notching an all-time intraday peak of 5,928.93, the Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 5,894.68) settled with a 17.1-point, or 0.3%, loss.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 12.38) popped as high as 13.59, before closing up 0.01 point, or 0.08%.
5 Items on Our Radar Today
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Senate Democrats reportedly have enough votes to filibuster Supreme Court nominee Judge
Neil Gorsuch. The announcement came shortly before the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in favor of moving the vote to the Senate floor.
(The New York Times)
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Privately held retailer
J. Crew said today its president and executive creative director, Jenna Lyons, will be stepping down. Head of women's design, Somsack Sikhounmuong, has been promoted to chief design officer, effective immediately.
(Bloomberg)
- Tesla surpassed Ford Motor's market cap to become the second-largest U.S. automaker, as the stocks headed in different directions on sales data.
- 4 reasons we didn't recommend buying calls on Advanced Micro Devices, courtesy of Schaeffer's Senior Trading Analyst Bryan Sapp.
- An eighth straight monthly rise in Macau casino revenue buoyed casino stocks.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Commodities
Oil prices retreated today, as production resumed in Libya over the weekend. By the close, crude for May delivery was down 36 cents, or 0.7%, at $50.24 per barrel.
Gold closed higher for a second straight session, even as the dollar edged higher. At session's end, June-dated gold had tacked on $4.20, or 0.3%, to rest at $1,255.20 an ounce.