Market Commentary for July 23, 2007


The markets were in the positive zone through out the trading day while the Bulls maintained control of the trading action. Trading volume was moderate with snug trading ranges as we began the last final full trading week in July. At the closing bell, here is how the major indices ended the session: the DOW
(Dow Jones Industrial Average) posted a gain of 92.34 points to end the session at 13,943.42; the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) posted a gain of 48.65 points to end at 10,121.9358 the NASDAQ posted a gain of 2.98 points for a close at 2,690.58; the S&P 500 moved higher with a gain of 7.47 points to end at 1,541.57 and the RUSSELL 2000 moved lower by 0.82 points to close at 836.44.

The FTSE All-World Index ex-US (top Large/Mid Cap aggregate from over 2,700 stocks from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS) which covers 90% of the worlds investable market capitalization) moved higher by 0.75 points to close at 269.21 and the FTSE RAFI 1000 posted a gain of 24.04 points to close at 6,440.23.

Chicago Fed National Activity Index rose by 0.11 in June versus a drop by 0.32 in May and Chicago Fed Index 3-Month average fell by 0.15 in June versus a drop by 0.17 in May.

Economic Data: N/A

Commodities Markets

The trend was lower across the board today for the Energy Sector: Light crude moved lower by $0.90 today to close at $74.89 a barrel; Heating Oil ended the session lower by $0.04 at $2.08 a gallon; Natural Gas moved lower today by $0.41 today to close at $6.12 per million BTU and Unleaded Gas moved lower today by $0.06 to close at $2.10 a gallon.

Metals Market ended the session lower across the board today: Gold moved lower today for a loss of $3.20 to close at $681.50 an ounce; Silver closed lower today by $0.07 at $13.33 an ounce; Platinum moved lower today for loss of $4.70 to close at $1,341.90 an ounce and Copper closed the day lower by $0.05 at $3.66 per pound.

On the Livestock and Meat Markets, the trend was higher across the board today: Lean Hogs ended the day higher by 0.20 to close at 72.18; Pork Bellies ended the day higher by 2.45 points to close at 89.70; Live Cattle moved higher by 0.1585 to close at 97.18 and Feeder Cattle ended the day higher by 1.20 at 116.70.

Other Commodities: Corn moved lower again today for a loss of 8.00 points for a close at 325.50 and Soybeans moved strongly lower today with a loss of 34.25 points to end the session at 841.00.

The e-mini Dow ended the session today at 13,997 with a gain of 59 points on the trading session. The total Dow Exchange Volume for the day came in at 207,510 which are comprised of Electronic, Open Auction and Cash Exchange. Traders should review workshops available at the CBOT
(Chicago Board of Trade) Educational in-person seminars schedules available on CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) website.

Bonds were lower across the board today: 2 year bond closed lower by 2/32 at 100 4/32; 5 year bond closed lower by 1/32 at 100 3/32; 10 year bond closed lower by 1/32 at 96 15/32 and the 30 year bond closed lower by 2/32 at 95 7/32.

The end of day results for the CBOT (Chicago Board of Trade) which is comprised of the total Exchange Volume for Futures and Options (EVFO) including Electronic, Open Auction and Cash Exchange ended the day at 4,662,585. Open Interest for Futures moved higher by 120,804 points to close at 10,004,830; the Open Interest for Options moved higher by 71,251 points to close at 9,257,570 and the Open Interest for OTC moved lower by 24 points to close at 7,038 for a total Open Interest of 19,269,438 for a total loss on the day by 192,031 points.

On the NYSE today, advancers came in at 1,526; decliners totaled 1,678; unchanged came in at 107; new highs came in at 201 and new lows came in at 184. Gainers and losers for the day on the NYSE: NVR Incorporated (NVR) moved sharply lower on the Big Board today to post a loss of 18.25 points with a high on the trading session of $654.84, a low of $616.27 for a final trading day price at $623.50; Valmont Industries Incorporated (VMI) posted a gain on the day of 3.60 points to close the day at $85.75; Textron Incorporated (TXT) climbed higher on the trading day by 3.10 points to end the session at $125.50; NAVTEQ Corporation (NVT) bolted higher on the trading session for a gain of 18.06% to tack on 8.73 points for a final trading price on the day of $57.11 and Atwood Oceanics Incorporated (ATW) bolted higher on the trading day by 5.46 points to close the trading day at $74.26.

On the NASDAQ today, advanced totaled 1,385; decliners totaled 1,641; unchanged came in at 138, new highs came in at 126 and new lows came in at 204. Gainers and losers for the day on the NASDAQ: Arrow International Incorporated (ARRO) rallied on the trading day by 16.72% to tack on 6.32 points for a final trading price on the day of $44.11; LifePoint Hospitals Incorporated (LPNT) plummeted on the trading day by 17.28% for a loss of 6.76 points to close the trading day at $32.35; Opsware Incorporated (OPSW) rallied on the day for a gain of 36.19% to climb higher by 3.72 points for a final trading price on the day of $14.00 and Astec Industries Incorporated (ASTE) made a nice run on the trading day for a strong gain of 15.26% to tack on 7.28 points with a high on the session of $57.47, a low of $49.72 for a final trading price of $55.00.

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Millennium-Traders