Incremental Record Highs Persist

Monday, stocks fell 0.7% in Asia but were little changed in Europe and rose 0.4% in the U.S. on 11B shares traded. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield rose 2% to end at 4.28. The NASDAQ and S&P 500 indices and Apple posted record closing highs. 

Tuesday, stocks gained 0.6% in Asia, 0.7% in Europe, and 0.4% in the U.S. on 11B shares traded. Precious metals miners advanced 2%. NASDAQ and S&P 500 indices posted record closing highs.  IBM ended above its 170 benchmark. Consistent with the current stock market froth, Nvidia briefly achieved most valuable company status.

Wednesday, stocks rose 1.8% in Asia but fell slightly in Europe. Markets in the U.S. were closed.

Thursday, stocks ended little changed in Asia but advanced 0.9% in Europe and 0.3% in the U.S. on 12B shares traded. The VIX rose 6% to close at 13.28. Precious metals rose 2% and their miners advanced 3%. Dow above 39,000. NYSE above 18,000. Apple below 210.

Friday, stocks gained 0.8% in Asia and Europe but ended little changed in the U.S. on 18B shares traded as options expiration increased volume. Precious metals and their miners lost 2%. Finally, the Federal Reserve balance sheet declined 6B to 7.25T.