Outstanding earnings from Procter & Gamble drove the Dow higher
U.S. stocks closed today mixed, with the Dow staying afloat on the back of impressive blue-chip earnings -- specifically, from American Express (AXP) and Procter & Gamble (PG). The S&P spent the session dancing around breakeven, eventually closing lower alongside the Nasdaq and struggling tech stocks. Regardless, both the Dow and S&P managed to hold onto positive territory for the week, while the Nasdaq suffered its third straight week in the red.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
This oil stock buy signal has never been wrong.3 auto stocks getting slammed.Plus, the upgraded Dow stock; analysts sideline EBAY; and the oil name with pricey puts.The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 25,444.34) tacked on 64.9 points, or 0.3%, for the day. Seventeen Dow stocks ended the day higher, with PG leading the way, closing up 8.8%. Meanwhile, Caterpillar (CAT) paced the 13 losers for the second day in a row, with a 2.7% drop. The blue-chip index added 0.4% on the week.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,767.78) shed 1 point, or 0.04%, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,449.03) lost 36.1 points, or 0.5%, for the day. For the week, the S&P gained 0.02% and the Nasdaq lost 0.6%.
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 19.89) let go of 0.2 point, or 0.9%, in today's trading, and 6.2% for the week.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Oil posted an impressive daily gain as concerns grew over the missing U.S. Saudi-based journalist, and amid signs of surging demandfrom China. November-dated crude added 47 cents, or 0.7%, to settle at $69.12 per barrel for the day, and posted a 3.1% decline for the week.
Gold futures suffered a daily loss but managed to gain on the week, as investors continued to flock toward the precious metal for refuge from a volatile market. December-dated gold fell $1.40, or 0.1%, to close at $1,228.70 per ounce for the day, but logged a 0.5% -- and third straight -- weekly gain.