The markets kicked off the week with gains as the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 Index hit new record levels. Technology and Energy stocks led advancers as U.S. oil prices jumped 1.1% to settle at $57.99 a barrel. Trading was mixed on Tuesday, but both the Dow and S&P 500 closed at new record highs for the third straight session while the NASDAQ dipped into the red. In economic news, U.S. producer prices ticked up in November. The Bureau of Labor Statistics showed producer prices climbed 0.4% last month. Core prices, which discount food, energy, and trade, also rose 0.4%. Mixed moves continued mid-week. The Dow and NASDAQ posted gains on monetary policy commentary from the Federal Reserve meeting while the S&P 500 lost some ground. As anticipated, the Federal Open Market Committee lifted the target range for the fed funds rate by 25 basis points from 1.25% to 1.5%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released their second report for the week, showing consumer prices edged up in November. The headline reading of the Consumer Price Index increased 0.4% last month, as expected. The core measure, which discounts food and energy, rose 0.1%, just shy of consensus expectations. The major indices closed in the red on Thursday with early market momentum fading as the session progressed. The Department of Labor reported initial jobless claims decreased last week, falling by 11,000 to 225,000 versus consensus forecasts of 235,000. On another note, retail sales ticked up in November. Sales rose 0.8% last month, exceeding expectations of 0.3% growth. Major indices closed trading at all-time record levels on Friday with Technology and Financial stocks leading the advance.
