Monday, stocks gained 0.5% in Asia, lost 0.5% in Europe, and fell sightly in the U.S. on strong volume. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Bond yield fell 3% to close at 2.40 while gold miners rose 3%. Tuesday, stocks closed nearly unchanged in Asia, rose 0.3% in Europe, and gained 0.7% in the U.S. on high volume. Both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ set new record closing highs. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Bond yield gained 3% to close at 2.47 while IBM shot up 3% to close above 175.
Wednesday, stocks posted sharp gains — rising 0.8% in Asia, 1.3% in Europe, and 0.8% in the U.S. on high volume. All three stock indices ended at record closing highs as the Dow finally broke the 20,000 mark. If only Louis were still around to celebrate. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Bond yield gained 2% to close at 2.52.
Thursday, stocks jumped up 0.9% in Asia, rose slightly in Europe, and declined slightly in the U.S. on strong volume. The VXO tumbled 7% to close at the unsustainable level of 9.39. Optimism has reached the point of euphoria as the Dow managed to post another new record closing high. Precious metals miners fell 3%. Friday, stocks closed little-changed in Asia as many markets closed or operated a shortened day due to holiday. Stocks fell 0.3% in Europe and the U.S. on strong volume. The VXO moved up 5% to the still euphoric 9.87 level as the NASDAQ eked out another record closing high.