Weekly Market Highlights August 20 1012
Domestic stock prices were higher on the week. The S&P 500 reached its highest level since April as investors weighed better‐than‐expected economic and consumer sentiment data. The Dow Industrials closed out the week near its high for the year, which was established on May 1. Global markets were also generally higher for the week . European stocks gained ground on continued optimism that eurozone leaders remain solidly behind the euro currency. German Chancellor Merkel provided additional support in comments this week.
Treasury prices declined this week, and yields surged. Yields on the benchmark 10‐year Treasury rose for the fourth straight week, the longest such streak since December 2010. The rise in yields was a response to improved economic data, which analysts anticipate may lower the need for the Fed to initiate another round of quantitative easing.
Commodity indexes were generally mixed this week. Crude oil led commodities higher this week, with prices surging to three‐month highs due to traders’ concerns that supply is tightening. Crude is also responding to the rally in stocks, which is an indication that the economy is improving and that demand for oil may rise.
| MARKET DASHBOARD | ||||
| Index |
Price |
Weekly Chg. | % Chg. |
YTD % Chg. |
| S&P 500 |
1,418.16 |
9.64 |
0.7% |
12.6% |
| Dow Industrials |
13,275.20 |
55.01 |
0.4% |
8.6% |
| Nasdaq Composite |
3,076.59 |
43.57 |
1.4% |
17.6% |
| Russell 2000 |
819.89 |
10.39 |
1.3% |
9.6% |
| Euro Stoxx Index |
272.83 |
2.27 |
0.8% |
11.3% |
| Shanghai Composite |
2,114.89 |
-53.92 |
-2.5% |
‐3.8% |
| 10-Year U.S. Treasury |
1.82 |
17 bps |
NM |
‐1 bps |
| DJ UBS Commodity Index |
143.11 |
-0.16 |
-0.1% |
1.7% |
| Gold |
$1,616.29 |
-$2.12 |
-0.1% |
3.4% |
| Crude Oil |
$96.10 |
$2.71 |
2.9% |
‐3.3% |
| U.S. Dollar Index |
82.59 |
-0.07 |
-0.1% |
2.9% |
| VIX Index |
13.48 |
‐0.45 |
‐3.1% |
‐36.9% |
| Source: Bloomberg |