Week Ends at Record Highs

Monday, stocks fell 1.7% in Asia, 2.2% in Europe, and 1.9% in the U.S. on 12B shares traded. The VXO shot up 25% to close at 21.14 -- crossing over into the fear region. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield plummeted 9% to close at 1.18. Precious metals fell 1% and their miners dropped twice that amount. After the close, IBM reported it's latest creative-accounting quarterly report.  

Tuesday, stocks in Asia fell 0.6% but gained 0.5% in Europe and 1.7% in the U.S. on 11B shares traded. The VXO slid back into the greed zone -- falling 16% to close at 17.67. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield rose 2% to close at 1.21. For those of you who watch grocery prices, you may have noticed the not-so-transitory inflation of staples like Campbell's tomato soup. 

Wednesday, stocks closed little changed in Asia, shot up 1.6% in Europe and gained 1.1% in the U.S. on 9B shares traded. The VXO fell 10% to close at 15.97. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield advanced 6% to close at 1.28. IBM closed back above its 140 benchmark.
 
Thursday, stocks gained 1% in Asia and 0.5% in Europe but fell 0.3% in the U.S. on 8B shares traded. 

Friday, stocks fell 1% in Asia but rose 1.1% in Europe and 0.6% in the U.S. on 10B shares traded. The VXO fell 5% to close at 15.16. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield moved up 2% to close at 1.29. Precious metals fell 1%. The Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 each logged record high closes to end the week.