U.S. Stocks Edge Lower on Yellen Speech, Ukraine
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Posted On: 08/22/2014 4:54:23 PM
U.S. Stocks Edge Lower
on Yellen Speech, Ukraine Tensions
The S&P 500 stepped back from an all-time high Friday, as investors weighed remarks by Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen and a flare-up in Russia's conflict with Ukraine.
The index slipped 3.97 points, or 0.2%, to 1988.40, off Thursday's record close of 1992.37. The decline pared the S&P 500's third-straight weekly advance to a gain of 1.7%.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 38.27 points, or 0.2%, to 17001.22, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 6.45 points, or 0.1%, to 4538.55.
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Investors appraised remarks by Ms. Yellen at a conference in Jackson Hole, Wyo, which suggested the Fed is in no hurry to raise interest rates even as the labor market is improving. Market participants are watching for hints as to when the Fed will reverse an easy-money stance that has fueled stocks' rally to record levels.
"We have the backdrop of a very accommodative Fed," said Michael Marrale, head of research, sales and trading at brokerage firm ITG. "Janet is, I think, a friend of the equity markets, in a very meaningful way. I think her comments today support that view."
Meanwhile, simmering tension between Russia and Ukraine put traders on edge. Ukraine said Russian trucks crossed into Ukrainian rebel-held territory without being accompanied by the Red Cross in violation of an agreement between the two countries. The Dow briefly fell as many as 55 points after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization condemned the convoy's entry into Ukraine.
Ten-year Treasury notes clawed back earlier price losses as fresh signs of geopolitical tensions outweighed the latest comments from Ms. Yellen.
Video
Investors' eyes turn toward Jackson Hole, Wyo. where Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen and other central bankers will speak at the Fed's annual conference on Friday. Emma Moody joins the News Hub to discuss. Photo: Getty
Gold futures gained 0.4% to $1,278.60 an ounce and crude-oil futures slid 0.3% to $93.65 a barrel.
In corporate news, Dynegy DYN +8.75% jumped 8.7% after agreeing to a $6.25 billion purchase of coal and gas generation assets from Duke Energy DUK -0.23% and Energy Capital Partners, a deal that would nearly double the buyer's power generation capacity. Duke's shares edged down 0.2%.
Foot Locker FL +2.95% added 2.9% after the company's quarterly earnings and sales topped analysts' forecasts.
on Yellen Speech, Ukraine Tensions
The S&P 500 stepped back from an all-time high Friday, as investors weighed remarks by Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen and a flare-up in Russia's conflict with Ukraine.
The index slipped 3.97 points, or 0.2%, to 1988.40, off Thursday's record close of 1992.37. The decline pared the S&P 500's third-straight weekly advance to a gain of 1.7%.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 38.27 points, or 0.2%, to 17001.22, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 6.45 points, or 0.1%, to 4538.55.
More on Markets
European Shares Fall on Ukraine Worries
Asian Stocks Rise
Ahead of the Tape: You Can Time the Market
Central Bankers Debate Easy Money
Fed's Jackson Hole Conference: Streaming Coverage
Yield-Starved Investors Take Bigger Risks
Fri., Aug. 22: Gap Inc. Among Stocks to Watch
Investors appraised remarks by Ms. Yellen at a conference in Jackson Hole, Wyo, which suggested the Fed is in no hurry to raise interest rates even as the labor market is improving. Market participants are watching for hints as to when the Fed will reverse an easy-money stance that has fueled stocks' rally to record levels.
"We have the backdrop of a very accommodative Fed," said Michael Marrale, head of research, sales and trading at brokerage firm ITG. "Janet is, I think, a friend of the equity markets, in a very meaningful way. I think her comments today support that view."
Meanwhile, simmering tension between Russia and Ukraine put traders on edge. Ukraine said Russian trucks crossed into Ukrainian rebel-held territory without being accompanied by the Red Cross in violation of an agreement between the two countries. The Dow briefly fell as many as 55 points after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization condemned the convoy's entry into Ukraine.
Ten-year Treasury notes clawed back earlier price losses as fresh signs of geopolitical tensions outweighed the latest comments from Ms. Yellen.
Video
Investors' eyes turn toward Jackson Hole, Wyo. where Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen and other central bankers will speak at the Fed's annual conference on Friday. Emma Moody joins the News Hub to discuss. Photo: Getty
Gold futures gained 0.4% to $1,278.60 an ounce and crude-oil futures slid 0.3% to $93.65 a barrel.
In corporate news, Dynegy DYN +8.75% jumped 8.7% after agreeing to a $6.25 billion purchase of coal and gas generation assets from Duke Energy DUK -0.23% and Energy Capital Partners, a deal that would nearly double the buyer's power generation capacity. Duke's shares edged down 0.2%.
Foot Locker FL +2.95% added 2.9% after the company's quarterly earnings and sales topped analysts' forecasts.
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