Monday, stocks gained 1.4% in Asia but lost 0.3% in Europe while in the U.S. stocks ended little changed on 16B shares traded. Precious metals miners fell 2%.The NASDAQ and S&P 500 notched record closing highs. IBM closed below its 230 benchmark.
Tuesday, stocks fell 0.7% in Asia and 0.3% in Europe and the U.S. on 16B shares traded. Precious metals lost 2% and their miners declined twice that amount. Apple and IBM closed above 270 and 230 respectively.
Wednesday, stocks ended unchanged in Asia but lost 0.6% in Europe and 0.4% in the U.S. on 17B shares traded. The VIX moved up 6% to end at 18.81. Precious metals fell 2% and their miners gave up 3%. The Dow ended below its 49,000 benchmark. IBM closed below its 230 benchmark. The FOMC met but decided to leave interest rates unchanged.
Thursday, stocks fell 0.7% in Asia but rose 1.4% in Europe and 1.7% in the U.S. on 18B shares traded. The VIX fell 10% to end at 16.89. The Dow and NYSE ended above their respective 49,000 and 23,000 benchmarks. The S&P 500 closed above 7200 and logged another record closing high. IBM closed above its 230 benchmark.
Friday, stocks ended little changed in Asia, unchanged in Europe, and down slightly in the U.S. on 16B shares traded. Precious metals gained 2%. The NASDAQ and S&P 500 notched record closing highs as the NASDAQ ended above the 25,000 level. Apple closed above 280. Chip and especially memory stocks bolstered the technology rally this week.