Stocks capped a wildly volatile trading session flat as a pancake following the monthly government jobs report and amid ongoing jitters over Syria. Still, the Dow snapped a four-week losing streak.
Stocks initially opened higher following the nonfarm payrolls report, but quickly tumbled near session lows after Dow Jones quoted Putin as saying that Russia would continue arms sales and aid to Syria, even in the event of an external attack. Major averages eventually rebounded, with the Dow hitting 15,000, as President Obama eased immediate fears over Syria in his latest press conference from the G20 meeting.
However, the rally eventually faded in the final hour of trading. Overall, the Dow fluctuated in a wide 220-point range.
"If you came into the day and ask what could possibly roll this market over, Syria would be front and center," said Art Hogan, managing director at Lazard Capital Markets. "We have to be careful as to how much of a reaction we have, but it's going to move markets around here."