Market Watch 1/5/10

Stock Market Closing Prices – 1/5/10

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close – 10572.02 -11.94
Nasdaq Stock Market Close – 2308.71 +0.29
S&P 500 Close – 1136.52 +3.53

Commodities Closing Prices – 1/5/10

Gold Close – 1120.80
Oil Close – 81.74
Natural Gas – 5.68

The market was held back by a weak report on pending home sales. But auto sales were generally better than expected, and the government reported that factory orders rose 1.1% in November. Analysts had expected a 0.5% gain. A strengthening dollar also held stocks to modest moves.

There are a lot of strong sectors today. Financials, Casino stocks, and the solar stocks were on fire.
Kraft boosts its Cadbury bid, but Berkshire says no to issuing new shares.

The early days of January are when many investors, from pension funds to individuals, pump money into the markets as they set up their investment strategies for the year. Markets often rise as the new money arrives.

However financial expert said investors are cautious ahead of reports on the service industry and employment later in the week because they want to confirm that economy is healing.