Monday, stocks in Asia gained 0.6%, in Europe were up slightly, and in the U.S.fell 0.6% on moderate volume. Precious metals fell 1%. Their miners lost twice that amount. Tuesday, stocks closed down 0.4% in Asia, changed little in Europe, and fell slightly in the U.S. on moderate volume. After the bell, Apple earnings report boosted its stock price.
Wednesday, stocks fell 0.3% in Asia, rose 0.6% in Europe, and fell 0.6% on strong volume. The VXO moved up 8% to close at 16.74 while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed below the 24,000 benchmark. The FOMC left interest rates unchanged. Their statement was a bit ambivalent.
Thursday, stocks fell 0.5% in Asia, 0.7% in Europe, and slightly in the U.S. on strong volume. Friday, stocks fell 0.4% in Asia but gained 0.7% in Europe, and 0.8% in the U.S. on moderate volume. The VXO fell 8% to close at 15.26. That gain propelled the Dow Jones Industrial Average well above the 24,000 benchmark. Part of that action came from another strong gain in AAPL stock as news hit the wire that Warren Buffett was a big buyer of Apple. For the week, cryptocurrencies gained another 20% moving them back in line with prices before the tax-selling swoon.