Monday, stocks gained 0.8% in Asia and 1.3% in Europe. Markets were closed in the U.S. for President’s Day.
Tuesday, stocks in Asia gained 0.5%. In Europe, they were little changed. In the U.S., stocks rose 0.4% on a trading volume of 15B shares. The VXO moved up 6% to close at 20.12. This lifted the Dow and NYSE indices to new record closing highs.
Wednesday, stocks gained 0.5% in Asia, lost 0.7% in Europe but were little changed in the U.S. on a trading volume of 15B shares. Precious metals miners fell 3%. The Dow again gained and logged another record closing high but the NASDAQ slid to close below its 14,000 benchmark.
Thursday, stocks fell 0.9% in Asia, 0.8% in Europe, and 0.7% in the U.S. on a trading volume of 13B shares. Apple dropped below its 130 benchmark.
Friday, stocks fell 0.3% in Asia but rose 0.5% in Europe and the U.S. on a trading volume of 14B shares. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield shot up 5% to close at 1.34. IBM dropped below its 120 benchmark. Cryptocurrencies continued
their relentless march higher — keeping them on track for a doubling in the first two months of the year. Bitcoin in particular took center stage with nearly a 20% weekly gain and a record-smashing close above $50K.