The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both took breathers today
The Dow started the last week of June with modest gains today. The same could not be said for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, though, as both closed in the red. Investors exercised caution ahead of Friday's G-20 meeting between U.S. and China leaders, and kept an eye on other geopolitical developments, including newly imposed and "hard-hitting" U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,727.54) added 8.4 points in today's trading. Dow (DOW) led the 19 blue-chip winners with a 2.5% gain, while Home Depot (HD) paced the 11 losers with a 1.9% drop.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,945.35) lost 5.1 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,005.70) shed 26 points, or 0.3%.
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.26) lost 0.1 point, or 0.9%.
5 Items on our Radar Today
- There was big merger news in the healthcare insurer industry today. Centene and WellCare Health Plans shareholders earlier agreed to Centene's $15.27 billion buyout its smaller rival, in an effort to expand its government-sponsored healthcare plans. Experts say the move reduces Centene's exposure to Obamacare healthcare exchanges. (Reuters)
- Independent Senator Bernie Sanders is the latest presidential candidate to call for the cancelling of student loan debts. He earlier today proposed a plan to cancel $1.6 trillion in student loans and pay for it with a tax on Wall Street. The plan was announced two days before the first round of debates between Democratic candidates. (Reuters)
- Lennar call traders have been busy ahead of earnings.
- Here's what to expect from AeroVironment stock ahead of earnings.
- Weekly options volume popped on Disney and Twitter stocks.
There is no earnings chart today.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Oil, Gold Keep Climbing
Oil continued its rise today, building on last week's historic gains. By the close, August-dated crude added 47 cents, or 0.8%, to end at $57.90 per barrel. Gains were capped, however, on concerns about a demand slowdown.
It was an even bigger day for gold. August-delivered gold added $18.10, or 1.3%, to settle at $1,418.20 an ounce. That's now good for the highest close for gold since August 2013. A weakening dollar and Treasury yield contributed to the rise today.