Stock Market News For July 17, 2018

Financial stocks jumped on Monday although the broader market struggled, as impressive economic data and quarterly results failed to boost investors’ confidence. Moreover, energy stocks weighed on markets. The Dow made meager gains, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended lower.  Investors also keenly watched President Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin’s summit in Helsinki, Finland. However, reaction to a joint conference by the two was muted. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) rose 0.2%, to close at 25,064.36. The S&P 500 declined 0.1% to close at 2,798.43. The Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 7, 805.72, declining 0.3%. A total of 5.4 billion shares were traded on Monday, lower than the last 20-session average of 6.6 billion shares. Decliners outnumbered advancers on the NYSE by a 2.05-to-1 ratio. On Nasdaq, a 1.55-to-1 ratio favored declining issues.

How did the Benchmark Perform?

The Dow managed to gain only 44.95 points, with shares of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. GS and JPMorgan Chase & Co JPM gaining 2.2% and 4%, respectively. However, shares of Caterpillar CAT fell 1.9, while Johnson & Johnson JNJ and Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM declined 1% each. Exxon Mobil has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The S&P 500 declined 2.88 points, as energy stocks offset the gains made by financials. The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) gained 1.7%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) declined 1.2%. The Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) and Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) declined 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively.

Financial Stocks Gain, Energy Stocks Lose

Investors are yet to feel motivated despite the fact that the earning season is in full swing. However, bank stocks rebounded on Monday after taking a hit on Friday. Shares of Goldman Sachs rallied ahead of its results on Tuesday, while Bank of America Corporation BAC jumped 4.3% after the company posted impressive quarterly results.

However, a decline in energy stocks saw the S&P 500 ending in red after closing at its highest level in five months on Friday. Oil prices fell more than 4%, as Libyan ports reopened and investors expected a potential increase in supply by Russia and other countries. This saw energy stocks taking a hit with shares of Exxon Mobil and Chevron Corporation CVX declining. Shares of Chevron fell 0.9%.

Strong Economic Data

The Commerce Department announced robust economic data, with U.S. retail sales rising 0.5% in June. Also, business inventories rose 0.4% in May, while sales jumped 1.4% during the same time period. However, despite impressive economic data, investors’ confidence remained low. 

Stocks That Made Headlines

Tidewater to Buy GulfMark, Form Combined Entity Worth $1.25B

Offshore services provider, Tidewater Inc has proposed to buy smaller rival — GulfMark Offshore, Inc GLF.  (Read More)

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Bank of America Corporation (BAC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
GulfMark Offshore, Inc. (GLF) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Chevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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