Dow, SPX Inch Higher To Close Out Volatile Day
Oil futures remained at their lowest since 2002
The Dow finished the volatile day slightly higher, a majority of gains pared by another brutal jobs report, which showed 5.2 million unemployment claims in the past week alone. Though earnings data surrounding most stocks also remains dim, the Nasdaq managed to end the day up nearly 140 points thanks to a lead in tech, while the S&P 500 finished marginally higher after hovering just above breakeven most of the day.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
ABT stock continues soaring after earnings.Rite Aid stock's post-earnings plummet.Plus, the e-commerce name faltering; bankruptcy buzz around Hertz, and this bank stock's first-quarter earnings beat.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 23,537.68) rose 33.3 points, or 0.1% for the day. UnitedHealth (UNH) topped the charts with a 6% win, while Boeing (BA) finished at the bottom with a 8% loss.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,799.55) added 16.2 points, or 0.6%,while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,532.36) tacked on 139.19 points, or 1.7% for the day.
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 40.11) shed 0.7 point, or 1.8%.
5 Items on Our Radar Today
In an effort to let fans get as close as possible digitally, the NBA has made a deal with Microsoft in order to use Azure's public cloud and Surface platform starting with the 2020-21 season. (CNBC)Seven northeastern U.S. states pushed their shutdowns to May 15, as U.S. President Donald Trump plans a strategy to reopen the economy starting May 1. (Reuters)Square stock stumbles after a downgrade. Short sellers piling on Hertz stock.BK stock boosted after earnings.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Gold Drops on Strengthening Dollar
Oil futures remained unchanged, staying at their lowest session since February 2002, after a day of attempted rebounds. May-dated futures remained at $19.87 a barrel.
Gold futures ended lower today as the dollar strengthened, marking the second straight session of declines. Gold for June delivery dropped $8.50, or 0.5%, to settle at $1,731.70 per ounce.