Monday, stocks rose 0.3% in Asia and 0.7% in the U.S. on moderate volume. Markets in Europe were closed. Tuesday, stocks gained slightly in Asia but shot up 1.6% in Europe. After moving strongly higher in the U.S. the bubble burst for the day and closed down slightly on low volume. Wednesday, stocks ramped up 1.3% in Asia, were nearly unchanged in Europe, and rose slightly in the U.S. on low volume. Gold dropped below the $1200 per ounce mark.
Thursday, stocks rose 0.7% in Asia, 1.1% in Europe, and 0.3% in the U.S. on ?? volume. Greece came through with a loan payment due the IMF but warned the next one will be a different matter. The VXO fell nearly 6% to close at 13.58 while the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield jumped up over 3% to close at 1.96.
Friday, stocks rose around the world as GE’s massive stock buyback plans and Apple’s iWatch hype cheered the market. In Asia they were up slightly, in Europe 0.9%, and in the U.S. 0.4% on low volume. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index broke back above previously reached round-number levels while the NASDAQ just missed closing above 5000. The VXO tumbled 8% to close at a benign 12.49.
For the week, the U.S. dollar was up around 3% and U.S. stocks gained about 2%.