Weekly Market Update December 7, 2012
Domestic stock prices were mixed this week. The fiscal cliff negotiations continued to be the primary driver of market activity, with each side staking out positions prior to the serious negotiations which are expected to begin in the next few days. Today’s better‐than‐expected U.S. employment report also provided support for the markets. Global markets were generally higher on the week. Foreign developed and emerging markets posted gains in anticipation of an improving economic backdrop. Asian stocks surged as China is expected to report a pickup in growth. German stocks approached a five‐year high after factory orders rose.
Treasury prices were little changed this week. Yields on the benchmark 10‐year Treasury ended the week slightly higher as the fiscal cliff negotiations and employment report impacted the market.
Commodity indexes declined on the week. The employment report caused gold to decline as investors believe the Fed may not be as aggressive going forward. Crude oil declined as a result of the rise in the dollar. Agricultural commodity prices also declined on news of improving crop conditions in South America.
| MARKET DASHBOARD | ||||
| Index |
Price |
Weekly Chg. |
% Chg. |
YTD % Chg. |
| S&P 500 |
1,418.08 |
1.90 |
0.1% |
12.6 % |
| Dow Industrials |
13,155.13 |
129.55 |
1.0% |
7.7% |
| Nasdaq Composite |
2,978.04 |
-32.20 |
-1.1% |
14.3% |
| Russell 2000 |
822.27 |
0.35 |
0.0% |
11.0% |
| Euro Stoxx Index |
279.17 |
3.39 |
1.2% |
14.2% |
| Shanghai Composite |
2,061.79 |
81.67 |
4.1% |
-6.3% |
| 10-Year U.S. Treasury |
1.63 |
2 bps |
NM |
-2 bps |
| DJ UBS Commodity Index |
141.51 |
-1.29 |
-0.9% |
0.6% |
| Gold |
$1,704.10 |
-$10.99 |
-0.6% |
8.9% |
| Crude Oil |
$86.01 |
-$2.89 |
-3.3% |
-12.0% |
| U.S. Dollar Index |
80.41 |
0.26 |
0.3% |
0.3% |
| VIX Index |
15.87 |
0.00 |
0.0% |
-32.2% |
| Source: Bloomberg | ||||
| As of December 7, 2012 | ||||