Stocks started the week in Asia down 0.3%. In Europe and the U.S., they surged 1.2% and 1% respectively on low volume. The VXO plummeted nearly 10% to close at 14.53 while precious metals and their miners lost about 2% on the day. It looked like a war to push the Dow above the 18,000 mark, but in the end the effort fell short.
Tuesday was a down day for stocks. They fell 0.8% in Asia and the U.S. and 0.7% in Europe. U.S volume was moderate. The VXO shot up 10% to close at 16.05. Oil fell over 2% to close at $47.64 per barrel while the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield fell 1.5% to close at 1.93%.
Wednesday, stocks fell in Asia 0.3%, rose in Europe 0.3%, and were nearly unchanged in the U.S. as the miners healthy 3% gains offset losses in other stocks on moderate volume. Thursday Asia up 1.3, Europe off slightly, U.S. up 0.6% on low volume VXO down almost 5% to close at 15.51. Friday markets were closed for the Easter and Passover holidays.