Up Week But No Fireworks

Monday stocks fell 1% in Asia, fell 0.8% in Europe, and rose 0.3% in the U.S. on moderate volume. Tuesday, stocks gained 0.8% in Europe but closed little changed in Asia and the U.S. on very low volume as the U.S. markets closed early before the Independence Day holiday. The VXO rose 6% to close at 15.34 while precious metals gained 1% and their miners moved up twice that amount.

Wednesday, stocks in Asia fell slightly and closed little changed in Europe as markets were closed in the U.S. for Independence Day. Thursday, stocks in Asia fell 0.4%, in Europe rose 0.4%, and in the U.S. rose 0.7% on light volume. IBM was swept above 140 by the day’s wave of buying. Friday, stocks gained 0.7% in Asia, slightly in Europe, and 0.6% in the U.S. on light volume. The VXO fell 15% to close at 12.71.