Monday, stocks fell 0.8% in Asia, rose 0.4% in Europe, and closed nearly unchanged in the U.S. on light volume. Precious metals and their miners dropped 2% while cryptocurrencies gained about 10% from the previous stock market close. Tuesday, stocks gained 0.6% in Asia, closed little changed in Europe, fell 0.8% in the U.S. on strong volume. The VXO moved up 13% to close at 18.38.
Wednesday, stocks in Asia and Europe fell 0.8%. In the U.S., they closed little changed on moderate volume. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury Bond yield closed at 3.02 — breaking above the benchmark 3%. Cryptocurrencies gained another 10%. Facebook reported strong quarterly results after the bell.
Thursday, stocks closed little changed in Asia, gained 0.9% in Europe, and rose 0.5% in the U.S. on moderate volume. The VXO fell 9% to close at 16.92. The big news was Amazon’s positive quarterly earnings report. Friday, stocks gained 0.6% in Asia, gained slightly in Europe, and closed little changed in the U.S. on moderate volume. The VXO fell 7% to close at 15.82 as historic overtures toward peace were made between North and South Korea.