Enjoy this FREE Stock Market Business Report, compliments of Sharelord®, The Most Powerful CashFlow Strategy On The Planet… To find out more about this Best Selling Stock Market Education, Visit http://BeneficialCashflowTips.com/
Strong bond auctions in Europe and a drop in oil prices drove stocks to a slightly higher close today. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose for the fourth straight day.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 21.57 points to end at 12,471.02. It was down most of the day, losing 64 points in the first hour of trading, following a jump in unemployment claims and a weak report on December retail sales.
Materials and industrial companies led the afternoon recovery. Caterpillar and Alcoa rose the most in the Dow. The S&P 500 finished up 3.02 points at 1,295.50. The Nasdaq composite rose 13.94 points to 2,724.70.
In the last hour and a half of trading stocks moved higher after oil prices dropped below $100 per barrel for the first time this year. Oil fell on rumors that Europe will delay an embargo on Iran. Crude plunged $2 a barrel in just eight minutes, ending at $99.
Also pushing stocks were strong bond auctions in Italy and Spain. European markets ended mostly higher after Italy and Spain held highly successful bond auctions, easing worries about Europe’s debt crisis. Italy’s benchmark stock index rose 2.1 percent.
The euro rose nearly a penny against the dollar, to $1.28, as worries eased about Europe’s financial woes. The currency, which is shared by 17 European countries, fell to a 16-month low against the dollar the day before.
It was the latest day of quiet trading in the stock market. There have been six consecutive days with moves of less than 1 percent in the S&P 500, the quietest stretch since May. Ralph Fogel, investment strategist and partner at Fogel Neale Partners in New York, said the moderate moves were an encouraging sign following the steep rises and sudden declines that were typical of last summer. “This is a much healthier market than we’ve seen.”
Unemployment benefits spiked last week to the highest level in six weeks, mostly because companies let go of thousands of holiday hires. Retail sales barely rose in December and were lower than analysts were expecting.
Despite the mixed news on the economy, investors are starting to focus on the U.S. corporate earnings season, which got under way this week with Alcoa Inc. The aluminum maker predicted stronger demand for its products this year and surprised the market with revenue that was higher than analysts were expecting.
Sharelord® investors who want to be in the market can insure themselves against any possible declines by owning one put option for every 100 shares of stock they are using in their trades.
P.S. Investors who demand perfection, have a way of finding it. If you are not a private client of Sharelord® and you would like to find out more information about this popular and Best Selling Stock Market Education, Visit http://BeneficialCashflowTips.com/
==============================================
Investments can rise and fall in value. The decision to invest or trade and the method selected is a personal decision. There is the potential for profits and donations. Although every effort will be made to explain the risks associated with the strategies, not all risks can or will be explained in any format. Sharelord® and associates does not, and must not be construed as providing recommendations in relation to any securities or other financial products. It does not constitute and must not be construed as an offer of securities or other financial products nor is it an invitation for you to take up securities or other financial products. With the Sharelord® Homestudy education and the Sharelord® Trading Diary, we provide educational information for your evaluation only.
Copyright© 2011, Sharelord® All Rights Reserved
