Stocks held strong this week despite a hurricane, war in the Middle East, and a labor strike. Monday, stocks fell 1.4% in Asia and 1.0% in Europe but ended little changed in the U.S. on 13B shares traded. Precious metals and their miners lost 1%. The Dow Jones Industrials and S&P 500 registered record closing highs. Apple closed above its 230 benchmark.
Tuesday, stocks gained 0.4% Asia but fell 0.4% in Europe and slightly in the U.S. on 13B shares traded. The VIX shot up 15% to close at 19.26. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield fell 2% to end at 3.74. Precious metals gained 1% while their miners advanced about twice that amount. The NASDAQ ended below its 18,000 benchmark. Apple and IBM ended below their respective 230 and 220 benchmarks.
Wednesday, stocks rose 0.7% in Asia but ended little changed in Europe and unchanged in the U.S. on 12B shares traded. Precious metals gained 1%.
Thursday, stocks declined 0.8% in Asia, 0.9% in Europe, and 0.5% in the U.S. on 11B shares traded. The VIX rose 8% to end in the fear zone at 20.49. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield fell 2% to end at 3.74. Precious metals miners fell 2%. S&P 500 below 5700 IBM above 220.
Friday, stocks in Asia, in Europe, and in the U.S. on 11B shares traded. The VIX fell 6% to end at 19.21 and return to the greed zone. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield rose 3% to end at 3.98. The NASDAQ and S&P 500 closed above their respective 18,000 and 5700 benchmarks. The Dow Jones Industrials and NYSE registered record closing highs. Finally, the Federal Reserve balance sheet declined 33B to 7.05T.