Equity markets struggled through another week of mixed data, domestic and abroad.  The markets have only mustered one weekly gain since April this year, and that was only an incremental gain.  Durable goods orders were up 1.9% versus a 2.7% decline the prior month and were higher than expected.   GDP for the first quarter of this year was revised up to 1.9%, better than expected.  The Greek debt crisis with the European Union and the IMF appear to be heading toward a resolution.  Despite these positive news items and some positive corporate earnings reports, investors are spooked by the specter of more financial crises in the Eurozone region.   

Markets moved higher in trading on Monday, encouraged by a probable resolution to the Greek debt crisis.  The Greek situation was initially perceived negatively …

After a mixed week of trading, the equity markets managed to break the 6 week losing streak, but just barely.  The S&P 500 Index posted a 0.52 point gain for the week and the DJIA was up 52.45 for the week.     

The markets eked out modest gains on Monday, but after 6 weeks of negative returns it was a welcomed respite, being only the second “green” trading session to date in June.  The S&P 500 Index was up 0.85 points to 1,271.83 and the DJIA gained 1.06 points to 11,952.97.  Investors were mildly encouraged by some M&A activity announced on Monday.  Of note in the consumer sector was the announcement by VFCorp, an apparel company and owner of Wrangler, Nautica and The North Face brands that it is buying footwear company, Timberland Co, for just over $2.2 billion.  VF rose 9.21 points to $101.01 …

This week marked the 6th consecutive week of losses for the DJIA and the S&P 500 Index.  The DJIA lost 1.6% and the S&P 500 Index dropped 2.2% for the week on fears of slowing global economic growth.  Pundits proclaim that there is very little chance of a double dip recession and that the protracted market slide is simply a drawn out correction. 

Stocks drifted lower throughout the trading day on Monday.  The S&P 500 Index finished at 1,286.17 down 13.99 points, while the DJIA was off 61.40 to end the day at 12,089.96.  Traders site a “complete lack of buy interest” as the markets’ lose momentum.  Negative sentiment regarding the US economy is fueling expectations of additional growth estimate reductions.  Energy stocks and financials led the market decline on Monday, although every sector of the S&P 500 Index had negative returns …

Through this past week, investors were very reactionary to data as it was being reported on almost a daily basis.  There continued to be a flight to safety motif in trading.  The S&P 500 Index was off 30.94 points for the week and the DJIA lost 290.32 points.  Trading volumes remain on the light side, indicating investor caution and-or apathy.     

After the Memorial Holiday, the equity markets finished higher across the board on Tuesday, despite ominous economic headlines.  The S&P was up 14.1 points for the day to close at 1,345.20, an intraday high.  The DJIA rose 128.21 points to finish at 12,569.79, slightly off the high for the day, which was hit right after the morning open.  Notwithstanding the rally on Tuesday, both the S&P 500 and the DJIA finished down for the month of May by 1% and 2%, …