[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Major Market ETFs advanced on Thursday, pushing the S&P 500 index past the 1,400 level for the first time since June 2008, as better-than-expected economic data reinforced the recovery theory. Latest data showed jobless claims dropping to their lowest level in four years, manufacturing activity picking up and headline inflation being put under control. Treasuries ended …
U.S. Stocks Decline Despite Rising Service-Sector Index; GAZ Burns Bright, KWT Slumps
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] U.S. stocks ended lower Monday despite the service-sector gauge advancing in February. The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing index came in better-than-expected. However, its employment index dropped, while the inflation-measuring price index jumped in January. Not helping the markets were the Chinese lowest growth target in eight years for 2012 and a survey that showed a …
Major Market ETFs Open Month Higher
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] Stocks closed higher Thursday as investors weighed improved reading on the jobs front against slightly disappointing construction spending and manufacturing data. According to the Labor Department, the number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits dropped 2,000 to 351,000 last week, the lowest since March 2008. Four-week average now stands lower by 5,500 at 354,000, …
U.S. Stock Indexes Slide, UUP Gains, GLD Loses Shine
[Chart courtesy of MarketWatch.com] U.S. indexes reversed Tuesday’s gains after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke hinted at stopping further liquidity expansion measures today. In other words, he took the punch bowl away for the time being by showing no monetary exuberance. In a testimony before the Congress that started at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Bernanke said though continuing with liquidity enhancing measures …