Stocks ended the first quarter Friday much as they spent it: with a lot of volatility and little to show for it.
Stocks rose in early trading Friday on strong personal spending and Midwest manufacturing reports, then reversed course when the U.S. imposed trade sanctions on China. The market fell sharply on the news, then recovered to end the day unchanged. Inflation concerns also weighed on the market.
Delltraded lower on news of its latest accounting troubles.
Red Hatslipped on its results.
CheckPoint Systems, Sabaand Spectrum Controlrose on their earnings reports.
PMC-Sierraclimbed on cost-savings plans.
All American Semiplunged on its outlook, and GoAmericaand Tibcofell on their results.
The Nasdaq added 4 to 2421, the S&P 500 slipped 1 to 1420, and the Dow gained 5 to 12,354. Volume declined to 2.82 billion shares on the NYSE, but rose 2.12 billion on the Nasdaq. Advancing issues led by an 18-14 margin on the NYSE, and 17-13 on the Nasdaq. Upside volume was 44% on the NYSE, and 54% on the Nasdaq. New highs-new lows were 150-17 on the NYSE, and 113-64 on the Nasdaq.