Monday, stocks in Asia fell slightly while they rose 0.7% in Europe and fell 0.3% in the U.S. on low volume.
Tuesday, stocks closed nearly flat in Asia, but rose 0.5% in Europe and in the U.S. on low volume as Janet Yellen testified before Congress. On the day, gold dipped below $1200 per ounce, oil dropped below $50 per barrel, the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield fell below 2%, and of course the S&P 500 Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at new all-time closing highs as NASDAQ 5000 looms.
Wednesday, stocks rose in Asia 0.8%, closed nearly unchanged in Europe and in the U.S. on low volume. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed slightly positive and thus posted another new all-time closing high.
Thursday, stocks in rose Asia 0.4% and in Europe 1% but fell 0.3% in the U.S. on low volume. The VXO rose nearly 5% to close at 13.44 while oil fell over 4% to close below $49 per barrel and the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield rose back above 2%. While our usual record-breaking closing indices took a breather, the NASDAQ inched ever closer to that ominous 5000 level — only seen before the 2008 crash.
Friday, stocks in Asia fell 0.6%, in Europe rose 0.4%, and in the U.S. fell slightly. For the week, stocks fell slightly despite Janet Yellen’s words to encourage further speculation, but precious metals miners gained 5%. For the month, stocks roared ahead 5% despite dismal fundamentals.