Unlike for the first quarter as a whole, the closing week of March provided little excitement — except for the Dow breaking an eight-day losing streak on Tuesday. The week did result in modest gains for the major stock indices. For the quarter, the euphoria continued with the Dow and S&P gaining 5% and the NASDAQ shooting up nearly 10%.
Monday, stocks fell 0.3% in Asia and slightly in Europe while closing little changed in the U.S. on strong volume. The to close at 11.39. Precious metals gained 1% and their miners rose twice that amount.
Tuesday, stocks rose in Asia 0.8%, in Europe 0.6%, and in the U.S. 0.7% on strong volume. The VXO fell 9% to close at 10:43. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Bond yield rose 2% to close at 2.41. Precious metals fell 1% while their miners lost three times that amount.
Wednesday, stocks changed little in Asia, gained 0.4% in Europe, and closed nearly unchanged in the U.S. on moderate volume. Thursday, stocks fell 0.3% in Asia, gained 0.4% in Europe, and rose slightly in the U.S. on moderate volume. Friday, stocks fell 1.1% in Asia, rose slightly in Europe, and closed little changed in the U.S. on strong volume. The VXO rose 5% to close at 10.47.