U.S. Stocks Post Second Week of Gains in the Year

U.S. stocks snapped four weeks of consecutive losses, led to the upside by the NASDAQ Composite, posting a gain of 1.98%. This week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed below the 10,000-mark, its lowest level since November 4, 2009. However, all three major equity indices recovered some of the earlier losses in the week, posting their second week of gains in 2010.

What follows is a summary of this week's statistics on the markets.

Equity Metrics

  • 20 of the Dow 30 components finished up for the week, while 9 companies closed down, and Exxon (XOM) finished flat
  • 332 out of the 500 (~66%) S&P components finished up for the week, ~33% increased, and 1% was unchanged
  • 76of the NASDAQ 100 components rose for the week

Since the Peak This Year

  • The Dow is off by -626.29 points, or -5.8% from its highest close of the year (a 15-month high) reached on 1/19 of 10,725.43
  • The S&P is off by -74.7 points, or -6.5% from its highest close of the year (a 15-month high) reached on 1/19 of 1150.23
  • The NASDAQ is off by -136.87 points, or -5.9% from its highest close of the year (a 16-month high) reached on 1/19 of 2320.4

Since the March Lows

  • Since the March lows, the NASDAQ is leading the way with a gain of 72.12%, followed by the S&P and Dow 58.97%, up % and 54.25%, respectively


S&P 500

Sector Impact:
8 out of 10 sectors closed the week in positive territory, led to the upside by basic material stocks. Utility stocks fell the most this week, down 0.87%.

  • Materials were helped by Cliff Natural Resources (CLF), up 10%
  • Utilities were hurt this week by FirstEnergy (FE), down 6%
  • Year-to-date, 10 out of 10 sectors continue to trade in the red, led by Telecom, down 10%

More Weekly Stats Here

Commodity Impact:Crude oil for March delivery snapped a four-week losing streak, closing at $74.13 per barrel on Friday, up $2.94, or 4.13% for the week.

  • Copper recovered some of last week's losses, gaining 7.9% this week, while milk futures dropped the most, -2.3% for the week.


Currencies Impact: The euro was poised for its fifth week of consecutive declines against the dollar on continued concerns over the faith of debt-strapped Greece.


Global Index Performance:


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