The stock market indices ended mixed today. After a very strong start they gave back all of it and then some on Nasdaq, but managed to hold onto the gains on the Dow and S&P 500. Still, it was a sloppy close, and pretty much a consolidation day for the S&P 500 as it stair-stepped its way down in an orderly fashion for the rest of the day after the opening big pop.
The Nasdaq 100 did manage to have a snapback midday, but that was about it, as it closed at the session lows.
Net on the day, the Dow was up 83.93 at 11,858.52. The S&P 500 gained 5.48 at 1279.21, about 9 points off its high. The Nasdaq 100 was down 4.17 at 2221.07, 28 points off its high.
It was a very sloppy day today on Nasdaq, with large-cap stocks leading the way on the downside.
Advance-declines, however, were 21 1/2 to 8 positive on the New York Stock Exchange, and better than 2 to 1 positive on Nasdaq despite the losses in the NDX. Up/down volume was 13 to 5 positive on New York with total volume of 1.9 billion shares traded. Nasdaq traded 2.65 billion shares.
So, heavy volume on the exchanges today on options expiration day.
TheTechTrader.com board was higher for the most part today. Leading the way today by far was Nexxus Lighting, Inc. (NEXS) up 1.38 to 3.97, a gain of 54% on 4.4 million shares traded. Coffee Holding Co.Inc. (JVA) advanced 1.78 to 7.73, or 30%, on 2.6 million shares. General Maritime Corp. (GMR) gained 50 cents to 2.31 on 6.6 million, nearly 28%, and New York & Company Inc. (NWY) 1.16 to 6.61 on nearly 2 million, a 21% gain.
In addition, Dex One Corporation (DEXO) rose 86 cents to 5.23 on 1.5 million, SuperMedia Inc. (SPMD) 1.07 to 6.81, on a million shares, and Westell Technologies Inc. (WSTL) 53 cents to 3.45, on 1 million shares. Star Scientific, Inc. (CIGX) jumped 39 cents to 3.64 on 13.7 million, US Energy Corp. (USEG) 58 cents to 5.79 on a half million shares, and VASCO Data Security International Inc.