Wall Street edges up on Iran deal, but energy weaker
Credit: Reuters/Brendan McDermid
1 of 5. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) November 21, 2013.
Trading is expected to be light this week, with markets closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and closing early on Friday. The light action could increase market volatility. The CBOE Volatility index .VIX is down more than 30 percent this year, and is at historically low levels, which could make it vulnerable to a spike.
The Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 have rallied in recent months, closing out their seventh straight week of gains last week. Both indexes closed at records on Friday, with the S&P closing above 1,800 for the first time.
The gains have largely come on expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will maintain its stimulus program through the year-end. While the program is expected to provide a floor under equity prices for as long as it continues, the scale of the rally has some investors looking for a pullback amid few catalysts. The S&P is 1.4 percent above its 14-day moving average, which could serve as support in a correction.
U.S. crude futures fell 1.3 percent after a breakthrough nuclear deal between world powers and Iran over the weekend eased oil supply fears. Brent crude fell 1.6 percent.
The decline in the price of oil could weigh on energy companies, though it may benefit other segments of the economy, like consumer spending.
S&P 500 futures rose 6.1 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration on the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures added 58 points and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 11 points.
Wall Street's recent rally comes just ahead of December, which, since 1950, has been the best month for both the Dow and the S&P. If the trend continues, it would add to the S&P's 26.5 percent jump so far in 2013, which has been the best year for the benchmark index since 1998.
In company news, the Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the use of Johnson & Johnson's (JNJ.N) Olysio as a treatment for the hepatitis C virus. Shares of the Dow component edged 25 cents higher in light premarket trading.
Hewlett-Packard Co (HPQ.N) investors have grown concerned about a possible slowdown in Chinese demand, which previously has hit tech giants IBM (IBM.N) and Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O).
Dow component Boeing Co (BA.N) late Friday advised airlines about a risk of engine-icing problems on its new 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner planes with engines made by General Electric (GE.N); it urged 15 carriers to avoid flying them near high-level thunderstorms.
(Editing by Bernadette Baum)
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