payroll numbers

It was another good week for stocks with the Standard and Poors 500 (S&P 500) closing at its highest level ever once again. The rise was spurred by a jobs report which came in weaker that most analysts anticipated. This news was taken by investors as indicating the Federal Reserve will hold off on raising interest rates for the foreseeable future to continue to help the economy. The weak jobs report gives ammunition to those who say the economy is still struggling and interest rates should remain low to help it.

The S&P 500 was up 10.06 points (0.5%) for the day ending up above the 2,000 mark again, at 2,007.71. This was a 0.2% gain for the week. The 2,000 point level, while not having any significant economic meaning for the index, continues to have a strong psychological meaning to many traders. The S&P 500 is still struggling to maintain closings above this level on a daily basis, but it may be able to do so in the weeks to come as it continues to slowly end each week a bit higher than the previous week. This is the fifth week in a row the S&P 500 has managed to end higher than the week before.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended the day up 67.78 (0.4%) points to 17,137.36, and managed a 0.2% gain for the week. The Dow helped to solidify its position above the 17,000 mark this week and looks like it should maintain this level in the weeks to come, baring any unexpected geopolitical unrest which spooks investors.

The Nasdaq Composite increased in value by 20.61 points (0.45%) on Friday to 4.582.90, an increase of 0.06% for the week. While the Nasdaq continues to remain well below its all-time high during the dot com bubble, it continues to inch its way back toward the 5,000 mark ,week by week.

Utilities had a good day with a 1.2% gain as investors found them appealing after payroll release numbers had bond yields falling. Utilities, with their strong dividends, are a place of refuge for many investors when bond yields fall.

Apple ended Friday up 0.9% to $98.97. After breaking $100 a share, the stock has been unable to remain above that mark. Rumors continue to abound about what will be announced at their much anticipated September 9 news conference and if the new products can meet investors’ expectations. The stock was also hit when their iCloud was rumored to be part of the issue on how the celebrity nude photos ended up being hacked, although they have denied there was a breach in this area. They have also announced they plan to add new iCloud security features.

Family Dollar Stores decreased 1.2% to $79.11 after rejecting a new and sweeter offer from Dollar General in the battle between dollar stores. The rejection also hurt Dollar General shares which fell 2.3% to $63.01.

(Photo courtesy of ilaria)