Closing Market Commentary
May 18 2012
Stocks closed broadly lower, extending a recent losing streak amid ongoing uncertainty over the outlooks for Europe's debt and the global economy. Shares of FB finished their first day of public trading marginally higher, giving up some stronger earlier gains in one of largest IPOs in history. NYSE breadth was 23-7 negative, NASDAQ breadth was 18-7 negative. Trading was active as monthly options expired. The dollar index, Treasuries and crude oil futures lower ground in step with equities. Gold futures rose, extending gains from the previous session.
Provided by Standard and Poor's. Past performance does not guarantee future results. There is no assurance these trends will continue. The market value of securities fluctuates and you may incur a profit or a loss. This analysis does not include transaction costs and tax considerations. If included these costs would redue and investor's return. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks. The NASDAQ 100 Index is an unmanaged index of 100 of the largest non-financial domestic companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market's National Market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged indes of 30 widely held securities. It is not possible to invest diretly in an indes. Commodities are generally considered speculative because of the significant potential for investment loss. Commodities are volatile investments and should only form a small part of a diversified potfolio. There may sharp price fluctuations even during periods when prices overall are rising.
