The major market indexes shrugged off well-received retail earnings
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) ended lower after a battle with breakeven today, as traders exercised caution amid a highly anticipated central bank summit in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which will culminate in speeches from Fed Chair Janet Yellen and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi tomorrow. Investors also digested a drop to 2017 lows for existing-home sales in July, echoing yesterday's new home sales shocker, and even a round of well-received retail earnings couldn't keep the major stock indexes afloat.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- The best time to buy stocks after this S&P signal.
- The worst stock on the NYSE today.
- How options traders are playing housing sector weakness.
- Plus, the drug stock price target cut in half; bullish bets on a global stock rally; and 2 retail stocks shocking bears.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 21,783.40) lost 28.7 points, or 0.1%, though 15 of its 30 stocks managed to end higher. Cisco Systems (CSCO) led the advancers, gaining 1%, while Wal-Mart paced the 15 losers with a 2% loss.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,438.97) lost 5.1 points, or 0.2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 6,271.33) also took a loss, letting go 7.1 points, or 0.1%.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 12.23) ended lower after two days of gains, losing 0.02 point, or 0.2%.
5 Items on Our Radar Today
- A continuation in Amazon's Whole Foods buyout news, the online retailer announced that everything should be finalized Monday, and customers should see immediate discounts. Amazon stated there will be "lower prices on a selection of best-selling staples across [Whole Foods] stores." (CNBC)
- A woman came forward this morning as the whopping $758.7 million Powerball winner. The woman, Mavis Wanczyk of Massachusetts, said the first thing she did was quit her job of 32 years. “I called them and told them I will not be coming back,” she stated. (MarketWatch)
- Why analysts nearly halved their price target on this drug stock.
- The global stock ETF seeing bullish options bets.
- 2 retail stocks shocking bears.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Commodities
Hurricane Harvey caused oil prices to fall, as traders anticipate weaker demand. October-dated crude ended 2%, or 98 cents, lower, settling at $47.43 per barrel.
Gold also suffered a loss Thursday, ending lower after the dollar gained ground and ahead of speeches from several central bank heads tomorrow. December-dated gold settled at $1,292 per ounce, down $2.70, or 0.2%.