Market Summary 8/17/2010

Stock Market Closing Prices – 8/17/10

Dow ( DJIA ) Close - 10405.85 +103.84
Nasdaq Close - 2209.44 +27.57
S&P 500 Close – 1092.54 +13.16

Commodities Closing Prices – 8/17/10

Gold Close - 1226.60
Oil Close – 75.53
Natural Gas – 4.27


The Dow rose 104 points to 10406 , as the stock rallied on a better-than-expected PPI number as well as merger and acquisition news.

Stocks took off this morning and appeared headed toward a really big finish. But the rally faded a bit in the last hour or so of trading, leaving investors wondering if the gains will continue.It was a broad rally undermined by one issue: relatively low volume.

Home Depot and Wal-Mart earnings cheer investors, they both beat street estimates, even if revenue wasn’t as strong as expected.

BHP Billition (BHP) offered to buy Potash Corp (POT), but Potash of Saskatchewan says a $38 billion offer is too low.

Oil futures for September delivery rose 53 cents to settle at $75.77 a barrel. Gold futures for December delivery increased $2.10 to settle at $1,228.30 an ounce.

The Economic Calendar Data: 8/18/2010

Crude Inventories 10:30 a.m.
Target(TGT) is set to report quarterly results before market open.
Deere(DE) is slated to report quarterly results before market open.