B. Keywords.
mixed, uncertainty, longer term.
Vocabulary.
blue-chips, rally, holiday-shortened week, edge, clouded, strategist.
Listen to the second news report, complete the news summary and five statements according to what you hear.
US stock prices were mixed on Monday with the blue-chips in a rally mode.
But volume was only moderate after a holiday-shortened week last week, showing lingering uncertainty among investors.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 75 points, less than 1%, to 10,546.
The S and P 500 Index gained 7 points,
but the NASDOQ composite backed off an early rally, taking a loss of almost one composite , on weakness in selected technology stocks.
The Dow Industrials actually got a boost from their technology components.
Shares of Intel traded higher, after an analyst said the sales growth at the leading computer-chip maker could be stronger than expected.
Microsoft Stock also edged higher.
Retail stocks gained on stronger than expected sales over the Thanks giving weekend as the holiday shopping season got underway.
However, analysis caution the retail picture is still clouded because many stores offered bargains to attract shoppers.
Expects worry that higher oil prices and interest rates will make this a less-than-Merry Christmas season for US merchants.
The latest on the US economy points to slower growth.
Sales of existing homes fell a steep 3.9% in October, their second monthly decline.
Many analysts think uncertainty over the economy makes it increasingly likely that the major stock averages will close lower for the year.
But investment strategist Alan Skrainka says the longer-term looks better.
No one can guess what will happen to the market over the next month.
But over the long term, we think the market looks very good.
If you're a long-term investor, this a very good entry point for getting in the market.
Because this is what you're been waiting for.
All the fear and uncertainty in the marketplace is setting us up for some very good values in the market.