Dow Picks Up Steam, Breaks Back Through 14,000

Posted

Referenced Stocks:AAPL;C;CSCO;GM;KO

"The broad markets fared a little better today, as select consumer discretionary names performed quite well on the earnings front," said Schaeffer's Senior Equity Analyst Joe Bell of today's trading, which saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) break back through the 14,000 level. "The positive momentum keeps on coming. After six straight positive weeks for the S&P 500 (SPX), many are expecting some consolidation or a pullback. Despite the skeptics, the market just keeps on grinding higher."

Continue reading for more on today's market, including :

• The 8 reasons Senior Options Strategist Tony Venosa, CMT, thinks Citigroup ( C ) has potential for a long trade.
• Why Senior Trading Analyst Bryan Sapp blames Tuesday's weakness in tech stocks on a lukewarm speech from the top dog at Apple ( AAPL ).
• Bearish option traders are looking for Cisco Systems ( CSCO ) to continue to slide through the end of the week.

plus...

• A positive day on the market, Apple's ( AAPL ) CEO plays down shareholder suit, and how short-term traders were hoping General Motors ( GM ) breaks through a key barrier.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) powered through some disappointing results from Coca-Cola ( KO ) and managed to more than overcome the losses incurred the previous day, gaining more than 47 points, or 0.3%, to close at 14,018.70, the first time since Feb. 1 that the Dow has closed above 14,000. The blue-chip index also reached a new multi-year high of 14,038.97 in afternoon trading. Bank of America (BAC) led the 23 companies that advanced on the 30-member Dow with a 3.3% jump. KO had the biggest drop of the six decliners, falling 2.7% on its earnings results -- Wal-Mart (WMT) was unchanged.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX) also gained, picking up more than 2 points, or nearly 0.2%, to close at 1,519.43 after hitting another new five-year peak of 1,522.29. Brought down by another decline in tech stocks, the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) fell nearly 6 points, or 0.2%, to finish at 3,186.49.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) finished at 12.64, down 0.3 points, or 2.3%.

A Trader's Take :

"Apple ( AAPL ) was one again in the news, as CEO Tim Cook made several comments on the company's future at a Goldman Sachs Conference," Bell noted. "The comments weren't viewed in a favorable light, as AAPL lost ground and dragged the Nasdaq (COMP) down with it."

3 Things to Know About Today's Market :

• As noted, most market watchers spent the morning parsing the speech from Apple ( AAPL ) CEO Tim Cook, who affirmed Apple is not just a software maker and said a shareholder suit over preferred shares is "a silly sideshow." (MarketWatch)
• The effort to turn computer maker Dell Inc. (DELL) private hit another snag , with one of its largest outside investors declining to support the deal. (Bloomberg Businessweek)
• The Group of Seven (G7) leading industrial nations sought to calm down rhetoric surrounding the possibility of a "currency war," saying such actions would drag down any economic recovery efforts. (CBSNews.com)

5 Stocks We Were Watching Today :

1. General Motors ( GM ) investors bet heavily that the automaker would rebound from technical support.
2. Bullish speculators are counting on Applied Materials (AMAT) staying above the $13 level through next month.
3. MGIC Investment Corp. (MTG) announced its earnings release date for later this month, and was deluged with a flurry of pessimistic put buyers.
4. This morning's stellar earnings release and improved guidance figures from Michael Kors Holdings Ltd (KORS) could be a big boon to traders who bought a barrage of calls on Monday.
5. A new annual high from Citigroup Inc. ( C ) drew a swarm of bullish investors looking to cash in by the end of this week.

For a look at today's options movers and commodities activity, head to page 2.

Commodities :

An upwardly revised demand forecast from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) led to an increase in crude futures on Tuesday. Oil for March delivery advanced 48 cents, or 0.5%, to finish at $97.51 per barrel.

A weaker U.S. dollar helped gold futures to cut the worst of Monday's decline. April-dated gold edged up 50 cents, or 0.03%, to close at $1,649.60 per ounce.

At the end of every market day, the staff at Schaeffer's Investment Research reviews the trading day in detail, covering major events and key market developments. Don't miss this critical, timely and insightful report. If you enjoyed today's edition of Market Recap, sign up here for free daily delivery straight to your inbox.