Monday, stocks gained 0.4% in Asia, fell 0.6% in Europe, and dropped 0.3% in the U.S. on high volume. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Bond yield fell 2% to close at 2.35 while precious metals miners gained 2%. Tuesday, stocks rose slightly in Europe but closed little changed in Asia and the U.S. on strong volume. The VXO fell 5% to close at 9.93.
Wednesday, stocks gained slightly in Asia, closed virtually unchanged in Europe, and fell 0.4% in the U.S. on high volume as the FOMC minutes release rained on the party with news that a draw-down of their balance sheet is (finally) coming later this year. The VXO reacted by moving up 16% to close at 11.47.
Thursday, stocks fell 1% in Asia, rose slightly in Europe, and climbed 0.3% in the U.S. on moderate volume. After markets closed, the U.S. launched 59 cruise missiles into Syria in retaliation for use of chemical agents against Syrian civilians. Friday, stocks closed virtually unchanged in Asia, rose lightly in Europe, and changed little in the U.S. on moderate volume.