Day Traders Diary

4/19/24

The major averages closed mixed once again, as the Nasdaq and tech sector accelerated their losses into the close to finish out a volatile week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 211 points led by UnitedHealth Group all week. The S&P 500 fell 43 points or 0.88% while the Nasdaq Composite fell 319 points or 2.05%.

More earnings keep coming in. Netflix fell 9% even as earnings and sales beat expectations. Netflix also received a few upgrades. Intuitive Surgical and oil stock, Schlumberger were lower on earnings.

The rest of the oil sector was higher on fears of war in the Middle East. Oil spiked overnight with brent briefly moving over $90 a barrel. Prices pulled back but remain elevated heading into the weekend.  

Gold and Bitcoin were higher on the day. Bitcoin rose nearly 2% above $64,000 after dropping below the $60,000 this week as the cryptocurrency has its upcoming halving tonight.  

Bond yields were quiet this morning as mortgage rates surge to their highest level since November. The 30-year mortgage is above 7% again.

The major averages took it on the chin this week as the S&P 500head its worst week in almost six months amid growing fears around the path of inflation and monetary policy. The S&P 500 fell 3% on the week, its third straight negative week. The S&P 500 is now 5% off its 52-week high,

The Nasdaq Composite fell 5.5% on the week, down six straight days and down for the fourth straight week.

The Dow was the only average to eke out a modest gain, the first positive week in a month.