Dow Posts Best Week Since Fall of ’20, Ends Long Slump - InvestingChannel

Dow Posts Best Week Since Fall of ’20, Ends Long Slump

Investors were reprieved this week from what has been a painful selloff as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P rallied to close their best weeks since November 2020.

The 30-stock index surged 576.36 points, or 1.8%, to 33,213.55.

The S&P 500 jumped 100.43 points, or 2.5%, to 4,158.27

The NASDAQ Composite popped 390.48 points, or 3.3%, to 12,131.13.

All three of the major averages closed the week higher. The Dow finished up 6.2% for the week and snapped its longest losing streak, eight weeks, since 1923.

The S&P 500 is 5.6% higher and the NASDAQ is up 6.2% on the week. Both were riding seven-week losing streaks. A chunk of the week’s gains came Thursday and Friday, when all three of the averages rallied as strong retail earnings and a slowing inflation report lifted sentiment.

Investors on Friday also continued to parse through retail earnings. Ulta Beauty shares were up 12.5% after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly results, while Gap added 4.3% despite slashing its profit guidance.

Tech stocks were among the top gainers Wednesday. Software company Autodesk rose 10% after reporting strong earnings for its most recent quarter. Dell Technologies jumped 12% on earnings and chipmaker Marvell advanced 6%. Crowdstrike picked up 6% and Datadog improved 8%.

A report showing inflation slowing a bit helped give stocks a boost on Friday. The core personal consumption expenditures price index rose 4.9% in April, down from the 5.2% pace seen the previous month. This particular report is watched closely by the Federal Reserve when setting policy.

Treasury prices edged upward, lowering yields to 2.74% from Thursday’s 2.75%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices moved higher 99 cents to $115.08 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices gained $3.10 to $1,850.70 U.S. an ounce.

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