Market Watch 11/17/2009

Today is Tuesday , The weather is sunny.

Stock Market Closing Prices - 11/17/09

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close – 10437.42 Up 30.46
Nasdaq Stock Market Close – 2203.78 Up 5.93

S&P 500 Close – 1110.32 Up 1.02

Commodities Closing Prices - 11/17/09
Gold – 1136.50
Oil – 79.43

Stocks finished an erratic session mixed Tuesday as higher commodity prices lifted energy and materials shares.

Trading volume remained light, signaling a lack of strong conviction behind the market's moves.

A rebound in the dollar after three down days kept investors' appetite for stocks in check. An eight-month weakening of the dollar has been lifting commodities prices and shares of U.S. exporters, which benefit from stronger foreign demand for their goods when the dollar falls. Record-low U.S. interest rates have also driven investors to seek higher returns in stocks and commodities, lifting share prices.

Meanwhile, signs of inflation remained muted, a welcome sign for the economy. The Labor Department's Producer Price Index, which measures inflation at the wholesale level, rose less than expected in October. The 0.3 percent rise was smaller than economists had forecast.

Analysis said the market is saying inflation is not an issue. That’s a signal interest rates will remain low.