Travelers and American Express posted notable earnings
Stocks closed higher on the last day of the holiday-shortened week, with the Dow notching a triple-digit gain on the back of outperforming blue chips and better-than-expected March retail sales data. Specifically, Travelers (TRV) and American Express (AXP) both traded near the top of the Dow after earnings. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended in positive territory, too, though gains were kept in check as Wall Street weighed the Mueller report, which identified potential obstruction of justice on the part of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
- Analyst: Buy Yelp while it's on sale.
- Proposed tobacco bill sent bulls to Altria stock.
- Plus, one analyst leans bullish toward golf; the China stock flashing buy; and why Starbucks is still hip.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,559.54) added 110 points, or 0.4%. UnitedHealth (UNH) and Travelers (TRV) outpaced the 18 Dow gainers, adding 2.3% apiece. Pfizer (PFE) paced the 12 losers with its 1.3% drop. On the week, the DJI added 0.6%.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,905.03) scraped together 4.6 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,998.06) tacked on 2 points, or 0.02%. For this week's trading, the SPX shed 0.08%, and the IXIC added 0.1%.
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 12.09) lost 0.5 point, or 4%. For the week, the VIX edged 0.7% higher.
5 Items on our Radar Today
- Six months after filing for bankruptcy, embattled retailer Sears is suing former CEO Eddie Lampert and a number of old board members. Notably on that list is current Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Lampert, who was previously the company's largest shareholder, and the former board members are accused of stealing more than $2 billion in assets. (CNBC)
- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo today said Netflix (NFLX) will be adding a production hub in New York City, creating a potential 127 high-paying jobs (and possibly thousands of production crew positions) over the next several years. NFLX stock closed up 1.6% at $360.35. (MarketWatch)
- Why one analyst is bullish on these 2 golf stocks.
- The China stock flashing buy before earnings.
- Starbucks is still hip to one brokerage firm.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Oil Marks Seventh Straight Weekly Win
Oil rose on the day and week, after data showed the U.S. rig count declined for the first time in three weeks and Saudi Arabia crude shipments declined in February. May-dated crude added 24 cents, or 0.4%, settling at $64 per barrel. For the week, oil added 0.2%, and marked its seventh straight gain -- its longest streak in five years.
Gold fell as strong March retail sales data strengthened the greenback. June-dated gold closed down 80 cents at $1,276 per ounce. This marked another fresh 2019 low for the precious metal, and a weekly fall of 1.5% -- its fourth consecutive weekly decline.