On Friday, major indices closed in the red after the Consumer
Sentiment index dropped unexpectedly in the month of March. The
Dow Jones ended its longest winning streak in almost seventeen
years. A bunch of economic reports was released on Friday.
Industrial production surged in February whereas manufacturing
activity in New York State calmed slightly. The utilities sector
was the major gainer among the S&P 500 industry groups.
Consumer staples stocks were the biggest loser.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) lost 0.2% to close the day
at 14,514.11. The S&P 500 fell 0.2% to finish Friday's
trading session at 1,560.70. The tech-laden Nasdaq Composite
Index declined 0.3% to end at 3,249. The fear-gauge CBOE
Volatility Index (VIX) was unchanged on Friday at 11.30.
Consolidated volumes on the New York Stock Exchange, American
Stock Exchange and Nasdaq were roughly 8.2 billion shares,
significantly higher than 2012's daily average of 6.45 billion
shares. Declining stocks outnumbered the advancers. For the 46%
that advanced, 50% declined.
The blue-chip index gained 0.8%, S&P 500 inched up 0.6% and
Nasdaq increased 0.2% over the week. The Dow ended in the red
after ten consecutive days of gains. The rally was driven
primarily by the Federal Reserve's attempts to keep interest
rates at a record low level. The improving employment scenario
and better-than-expected retail sales data also boosted investor
sentiment. Investor optimism about the world's largest economy
has pushed the volatility index to its lowest level in more than
six years.
Friday's trading session was largely affected by a sharp decline
in the consumer sentiment index. According to preliminary
estimates, consumer sentiment sharply declined to 71.8 in March
from previous month's reading of 77.6. This was also well below
the consensus estimate of 77.2. The consumer sentiment index has
touched its lowest level since December 2011. Most US citizens
believe government spending cuts of $85 billion will hamper the
growth of the economy.
Meanwhile, industrial production increased 0.7% in February after
remaining unchanged in January. This was above the consensus
estimate of 0.4%. Manufacturing and utilities output increased
0.8% and 1.6% respectively. But production at mines fell
0.3%, its third consecutive month of decline. On the other hand,
manufacturing conditions in New York changed slightly as the
general business conditions index came in at 9.2 in March from
the previous month figure's of 10. This was below the consensus
estimate of 10.67. The general business conditions index was
positive for the second consecutive month.
Another report was released on the domestic front, the Consumer
Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.7% in
February beating the consensus estimate of 0.5%. The gasoline
index jumped 9.1% in February. The food index inched up 0.1% in
February after remaining unchanged in January.
The utilities sector had a good run and the Utilities SPDR (XLU)
gained 0.7%. Stocks such as Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
(NYSE:
PEG
), The Southern Company (NYSE:
SO
), American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NYSE:
AEP
), Exelon Corporation (NYSE:
EXC
) and Entergy Corporation (NYSE:
ETR
) added 1.0%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 2.8% and 2.5%, respectively.
The Consumer Staples Select Sect. SPDR (XLP) lost 0.3%. This
sector was the biggest loser among the S&P 500 industry
groups. Stocks such as The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:
PG
), The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:
KO
), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:
WMT
), PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:
PEP
) and Altria Group Inc (NYSE:
MO
) fell 1.4%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively.
AMER ELEC PWR (AEP): Free Stock Analysis
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ENTERGY CORP (ETR): Free Stock Analysis
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EXELON CORP (EXC): Free Stock Analysis Report
COCA COLA CO (KO): Free Stock Analysis Report
ALTRIA GROUP (MO): Free Stock Analysis Report
PUBLIC SV ENTRP (PEG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
PEPSICO INC (PEP): Free Stock Analysis Report
PROCTER & GAMBL (PG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
SOUTHN COMPANY (SO): Free Stock Analysis
Report
WAL-MART STORES (WMT): Free Stock Analysis
Report
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