What the Stock Market Did Today, May 30, 2014: The stock market today (Friday) was flat on weaker-than-expected consumer spending data. Consumer spending represents a little more than 70% of all U.S. economic activity. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that consumer spending slid by 0.1% in April, the first downturn in a year.
Here's the scorecard from today's trading session:
DOW: 16,717.17, +0.11%
S&P 500: 1,923.57, +0.18%
NASDAQ: 4,242.62, -0.13%
And here are the top stories from the stock market today…
by David Zeiler
As the Alibaba IPO date approaches, the company is racing to resolve an issue with counterfeit products on its site that threatens to undermine investor confidence.
Compared to a few years ago, Alibaba has made a major effort to weed out listings of knockoff products and go after the groups selling them. Last year alone Alibaba removed 100 million listings of fakes suspected to violate intellectual property rules, and the company now spends $16.1 million each year to fight the problem.
But has it done enough to satisfy potential investors?
Investors have been scrambling to nab the best penny stocks to buy right now. According to The Wall Street Journal, throughout 2014 investors have been pumping funds into penny stocks for the chance to get large returns as the market continues a mostly-bullish run.
And buying penny stocks in a booming sector, like the healthcare industry, promises greater investment choices that are more likely to yield big returns.
Today (Friday), gold price per ounce fell under $1,250 an ounce to a 16-week low. Prior to this five-day losing streak, gold price per ounce has been stuck in a tight trading range for weeks, struggling to consistently trade above the key $1,300 an ounce level.
Gold futures for August delivery fell by 0.8% to $1,246.50 an ounce this morning on the Comex in New York. And earlier, the price touched on $1,244.50, the lowest for a most-active contract since Feb. 3, according to Bloomberg.
Here’s what’s driving gold price per ounce, and how to play the yellow metal in 2014…
by Diane Alter
Anyone who did not "sell in May and go away" has likely enjoyed stock gains – especially in Nasdaq stocks.
But, it's the Nasdaq Composite sporting the most intense rebound after two months in the red. The Nasdaq fell 4.2% from January to mid-April, but is up nearly 6% since then.
Following are 10 stocks that helped propel the Nasdaq higher recently.
by David Zeiler
One of the best ways to invest in Bitcoin will be via the Winklevoss Bitcoin Trust exchange-traded fund (ETF), which is currently awaiting regulatory approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Still, because the Winklevoss Bitcoin ETF will be based on a digital currency, there will be some quirks unique to this investment. That means people are bound to have a lot of questions about this Bitcoin ETF.
Here are answers to some of the questions investors are bound to have...
Gold prices have been stuck in a tight trading range for weeks, struggling to consistently trade above the key $1,300 an ounce level.
As the yellow metal pushes to climb past the mark, our list of gold ETFs provide options to investors who want to diversify their portfolio, but still target the gold sector.
Here's a list of all of the gold ETFs you'll need...
Right now, the semiconductor-equipment sector is booming, with worldwide sales of semiconductors reaching $78.47 billion during the first quarter of 2014.
The company that stands to benefit the most from this boom is already a market leader, making it one of the best stocks to buy now in the sector – and you won't find a better time to invest.
This stock could double in three years. Let’s take a look…
by Diane Alter
While most companies pay dividends on a quarterly basis, monthly dividend stocks distribute their dividend payouts 12 times a year.
Investors pile into monthly dividend payers for a number of reasons. Some use them as a means of getting a steady stream of income. Some find it an efficient way to budget for expenses each month. And, some simply enjoy the frequency of getting a dividend payment 12 times a year instead of once, or every three or six months.
by Shah Gilani
The fourth securitization deal of big investor-owned single-family homes for rent is here.
Is this just another Wall Street gamble that will wreck the economy again, or is this time different?
You be the judge.
I'll tell you where I stand…
