Monday, stocks rose 0.4% in Asia, slightly in Europe, and 0.3% in the U.S. on low volume. The VXO fear gauge dropped nearly 9% to close at 13.05. This rise is despite a disappointing report from Caterpillar. Precious metals continued their comeback rising 1.6% giving their miner stocks a similar boost. Tuesday stocks in Asia averaged unchanged. In Europe, they exploded upward 2.4%. In the U.S. they rose 1% on low volume. VXO dropped over 5% to 12.36.
Wednesday, the party continued in Asia powering stocks 1.2% higher, in Europe with stocks gaining 0.7%, and in the U.S. 0.4% on low moderate volume. Precious metals miners blasted upward about 5% and strangely the VXO rose 4% on an up day for stocks. Thursday stocks in Asia rose 1%, in Europe 0.7%, and 0.5% in the U.S. on low moderate volume. Perversely, the VXO rose again—this time 3% to close at 13.28. Precious metals continued their recovery with a rise of nearly 4%. Friday, stocks in Asia closed flat while in Europe the lost 0.4% and in the U.S. they dropped just slightly on low volume.
For the week, stocks in the U.S. gained a little less than 2% for no particular reason.