Stocks and Gold Power to New Heights

Monday, stocks rose 0.3% in Asia and 0.4% in Europe and the U.S. on 11B shares traded. IBM closed above its 220 benchmark. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 along with gold recorded closing record highs.

Tuesday, stocks gained 1.6% in Asia, 0.7% in Europe, and 0.4% in the U.S. on 12B shares traded. Precious metals gained 1% and their miners advanced 2%. The NASDAQ ended the day above its 18,000 benchmark The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 and gold recorded closing record highs.

Wednesday, stocks closed up slightly in Asia and little changed in Europe but fell 0.6% in the U.S. on 11B shares traded. The Dow ended below its 42,000 benchmark.

Thursday, stocks jumped up 2.8% in Asia, 1.3% in Europe, and 0.6% in the U.S. on 13B shares traded. The Dow ended above its 42,000 benchmark. The S&P 500 and gold recorded another record high close.

Friday, stocks advanced 1.2%  in Asia and 0.4% in Europe but closed unchanged in the U.S. on 12B shares traded. The VIX rose 10% to close at 16.96. Precious metals fell 1% while their miners gave back 3%. The Dow notched another record high close. Finally, the Federal Reserve balance sheet declined 29B to 7.08T.