The major indexes gained more than one percent on Monday following remarks by Fed Chair Ben Bernanke that low interest rates will most likely remain for the foreseeable future to combat high unemployment. The S&P 500 hit a 4-year high. On Tuesday, the upward momentum could not be maintained despite expected consumer confidence and home price reports, as stock prices slid moderately. The slide continued on Wednesday as a US durable goods report failed to live up to expectations that the US economy is recovering. On Thursday, the indexes finished mixed as a revised US GDP report for the fourth quarter of 2011 failed to inspire buyers. Stocks closed the week and the first quarter of 2012 on Friday on another upnote, as the Dow finished Q1 with an 8.1% gain, its largest first quarter gain of a year since 1998. The tech-heavy NASDAQ recorded a 19% first quarter gain, its highest since 1991. The S&P 500 logged a 12% gain.

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On Monday, the markets finish positive following news that Apple will give a a $2.65/share dividend, as well as buy back $10 billion in shares. US home builders’ confidence also hit a five-year high, signaling that faith in the housing market may be returning. These gains were surrendered on Tuesday on concerns that China’s economy may be slowing. On Wednesday, another modest loss followed from news that existing home sales had dipped unexpectedly. Disappointing European and Chinese manufacturing reports sent the Dow to a third consecutive loss on Thursday. On Friday, the markets rebounded despite US new homes sales falling for the second month in a row. Still, the Dow and S&P 500 finished with their largest weekly loss of 2012.

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Stocks finished largely unchanged on Monday, with little news to push the markets one way or another. On Tuesday, the NASDAQ index closed above the 3000 mark for the first time since late 2000, as good retail, Fed, and banking news simultaneously sent stock prices soaring. The Dow scored its sixth consecutive gain on Wednesday and hit a four-year high on an otherwise uneventful day. Another milestone was passed on Thursday when the S&P 500 closed above 1400 for the first time since June 2008. On Friday the Dow broke its seven session winning streak by closing with a small loss. Still, it was a very good week for stocks.

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Signs of an economic slowdown in China and Europe put a damper on the 2012 rally on Monday, with the three major indexes all finishing down varying degrees. On Tuesday the downturn accelerated, with the Dow losing 200 points on Greek debt concerns. Stocks gained back some of Tuesday’s losses on Wednesday on improving news of Greece’s debt swap and hints from the Fed that they are considering a bond-buying stimulus program. On Thursday, a larger than expected rise in new weekly initial jobless claims failed to hold stocks down, as they registered another solid gain. The market closed the week on Friday with a three day win streak, as the US unemployment rate stayed steady at 8.3%.

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The Dow once again failed to close above the elusive 13000 mark on Monday, despite positive housing and manufacturing reports. On Tuesday, this psychological barrier was broken, as the Dow finished above 13000 for the first time since May 2008. Stocks pulled back on Wednesday following Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke’s comment that the economic rebound in the US was “uneven and modest”, while at the same time not giving any indication of a third round of quantitative easing to stimulate growth. On Thursday, a drop in initial weekly jobless claims gave stocks a boost, although an unconfirmed and ultimately untrue report that an explosion in Saudi Arabia destroyed pipelines detracted from the day’s gain. Stocks finished the week on Friday with modest losses on a slow economic news day.

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