Travelers and American Express posted notable earnings
Stocks closed higher on the last day of the holiday-shortened week, with the Dow notching a triple-digit gain on the back of outperforming blue chips and better-than-expected March retail sales data. Specifically, Travelers (TRV) and American Express (AXP) both traded near the top of the Dow after earnings. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended in positive territory, too, though gains were kept in check as Wall Street weighed the Mueller report, which identified potential obstruction of justice on the part of U.S. President Donald Trump.
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The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,905.03) scraped together 4.6 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 7,998.06) tacked on 2 points, or 0.02%. For this week's trading, the SPX shed 0.08%, and the IXIC added 0.1%.
The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 12.09) lost 0.5 point, or 4%. For the week, the VIX edged 0.7% higher.
Data courtesy of Trade-Alert
Oil rose on the day and week, after data showed the U.S. rig count declined for the first time in three weeks and Saudi Arabia crude shipments declined in February. May-dated crude added 24 cents, or 0.4%, settling at $64 per barrel. For the week, oil added 0.2%, and marked its seventh straight gain -- its longest streak in five years.
Gold fell as strong March retail sales data strengthened the greenback. June-dated gold closed down 80 cents at $1,276 per ounce. This marked another fresh 2019 low for the precious metal, and a weekly fall of 1.5% -- its fourth consecutive weekly decline.