Dow Squeaks Out a Win as Gold Cruises
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both took breathers today
The Dow started the last week of June with modest gains today. The same could not be said for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, though, as both closed in the red. Investors exercised caution ahead of Friday's G-20 meeting between U.S. and China leaders, and kept an eye on other geopolitical developments, including newly imposed and "hard-hitting" U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
These 2 pharma stocks scaled the Nasdaq today.FAANG buzz dropped this Kylie Jenner retailer.This blockchain stock rode the bitcoin wave today.Plus, a Lennar and AeroVironment earnings preview; and big options volume on DIS and TWTR.The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 26,727.54) added 8.4 points in today's trading. Dow (DOW) led the 19 blue-chip winners with a 2.5% gain, while Home Depot (HD) paced the 11 losers with a 1.9% drop.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,945.35) lost 5.1 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 8,005.70) shed 26 points, or 0.3%.
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 15.26) lost 0.1 point, or 0.9%.
5 Items on our Radar Today
There was big merger news in the healthcare insurer industry today. Centene and WellCare Health Plans shareholders earlier agreed to Centene's $15.27 billion buyout its smaller rival, in an effort to expand its government-sponsored healthcare plans. Experts say the move reduces Centene's exposure to Obamacare healthcare exchanges. (Reuters)Independent Senator Bernie Sanders is the latest presidential candidate to call for the cancelling of student loan debts. He earlier today proposed a plan to cancel $1.6 trillion in student loans and pay for it with a tax on Wall Street. The plan was announced two days before the first round of debates between Democratic candidates. (Reuters)Lennar call traders have been busy ahead of earnings.Here's what to expect from AeroVironment stock ahead of earnings.Weekly options volume popped on Disney and Twitter stocks.There is no earnings chart today.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Oil, Gold Keep Climbing
Oil continued its rise today, building on last week's historic gains. By the close, August-dated crude added 47 cents, or 0.8%, to end at $57.90 per barrel. Gains were capped, however, on concerns about a demand slowdown.
It was an even bigger day for gold. August-delivered gold added $18.10, or 1.3%, to settle at $1,418.20 an ounce. That's now good for the highest close for gold since August 2013. A weakening dollar and Treasury yield contributed to the rise today.