IT and telecom stocks were best performing
U.S. stocks closed a low-volume, light-news session with slight losses on Monday, 12 August 2013 though the technology-dominated Nasdaq Composite managed a gain. A disappointing economic report from Japan accounted for the lower open, but then takeover talk helped stocks pare losses.
Equities ended today's quiet session on a mixed note as the S&P 500 shed 0.1% while the Nasdaq added 0.3%. The S&P 500 edged down 1.95 points, or 0.1%, to 1,689.47 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 5.83 points, or 0.04%, to end at 15,419.68. But the Nasdaq Composite gained 9.84 points, or 0.3%, to 3,669.95.
On Monday, IT and telecom stocks were performing best among S&P sectors, as energy and utilities fared worst.
Caterpillar and Cisco Systems did best among Dow components, while Walt Disney was the biggest decliner.
Stocks began in the red after Japan's second quarter GDP report (0.6% actual, 0.9% forecast) missed expectations. Another piece of news out of Asia indicated the People's Bank of China could lower the reserve requirement ratio for small to mid-sized banks. Both items were perceived as beneficial to precious metals with Japan's below-consensus growth leaving the door open to further monetary easing while news from China discussed outright easing.
A nearly 3% gain by Apple provided a lift to the tech-heavy index, after a report over the weekend that the next iPhone will debut on Sept. 10. Investors also were digesting a price-target cut for Apple.
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Elsewhere, the tech sector ended in the lead, contributing to the outperformance of the Nasdaq. Remaining in the tech sector, BlackBerry was another notable outperformer after the company said it has begun exploring strategic alternatives.
The solid gains in technology helped the S&P climb off its early lows, but the index was unable to close in the green.
Treasuries were confined to a narrow range and the benchmark 10-yr yield slipped three basis points to 2.61%.
As mentioned earlier, participation was lacking as only 586 million shares changed hands on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Today's economic data was limited to the July Treasury budget, which showed a deficit of $97.6 billion following a deficit of $69.6 billion in July 2012. Since the Treasury data are not seasonally adjusted, the data cannot be compared with the June level. The consensus expected the budget to show a deficit of $96 billion.
The Congressional Budget Office released their budget preview last week and predicted a shortfall of $96 billion. The market is well aware of the CBO's forecast and the reaction to the budget data is limited.
Bullion metal prices ended solidly higher on Monday, 12 August 2013 at Comex. Comex gold futures prices ended the U.S. day session with good gains and hit a three-week high on Monday. Reports on Monday said gold-backed exchange traded funds saw decent inflows last Friday.
Gold for December delivery ended higher by $22 (1.7%) at $1,334.2 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange on Monday. September silver ended higher by $0.93 (4.6%) at $21.34 an ounce on Monday.
Crude-oil prices ended higher on Monday, 12 August 2013 at Nymex. But gains were under check in the wake of weaker-than-expected Japanese economic data and supply disruptions in Libya. Light and sweet crude for September ended lower by $0.14 (0.1%) at $106.11 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange on Monday.
Tomorrow, July retail sales, export prices ex-agriculture, and import price
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