Equities Mixed, Oil Rebounds on Economic and Political Concerns

The US markets were mixed today following an unexpected rise in initial jobless claims and a new round of European Union economic sanctions against Russia over the situation in the Ukraine.

Market Radar - % Change

Crude oil, which had fallen to a 16 month low in overnight trading, rebounded sharply Thursday and settled at $92.83, up $1.16 or 1.27% per barrel.  Gold prices retreated 0.51% to settle at $1,239.00 per ounce, down $6.30.

The major indexes were also mixed.  The Dow Industrials (INDEXDJX:DJI) fell 19.71 points to close at 17,049.00, down 0.12%, while the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:GSPC) index scratched out a gain of 1.76 point, or 0.09%, to close at 1,987.45.

The NASDAQ Composite (NASDAQ:IXIC) posted modest gains, rising to 4,552.29, up 5.29 points or 0.12%. The tech heavy NASDAQ 100 dipped slightly, shedding 2.32 points to close down 0.06% at 4,092.65.

The Small cap Russell 2000 posted the best equity gains of the day, climbing 7.35 points to 1,172.34, up 0.63%.  The Fox50 gained 1.57, to close up 0.11% at 1,408.90.