The market ended modestly lower in thin trading as investors focused on the job market amid signs of a sluggish economic recovery. The jobs report is expected to show that the economy lost jobs in July for the second month in a row. Top retailers reported July sales growth that largely missed analysts’ expectations. Investors sought safety in Treasurys and gold, which both rose. Volume was relatively weak, but in line with this week’s lighter trend.

FEAR METER: The S&P500 implied volatility little changed.

Stocks traded in a narrow range for most of the day, as investors welcomed improved data on private sector hiring and the services industry. Google jumped almost 4%. Investors are worried that the weak job market will undermine consumer confidence and hurt the already faltering recovery. Intel said it has agreed to settle antitrust charges levied by the Federal Trade Commission without paying a fine. Friday’s monthly jobs report is in focus.

FEAR METER: The S&P500 implied volatility drifted lower.

Optimism over corporate earnings gave way to concerns about the strength of the economic recovery. The retreat came after disappointing results from Procter & Gamble, and mixed reports on housing, factory orders and personal spending. Investors are particularly worried about consumer spending as household budgets remain strained by the weak job market. As a result, trading could be choppy this week as investors brace for the government’s monthly payrolls report Friday.

FEAR METER: The S&P500 implied volatility little changed.

Investors cheered quarterly results from HSBC and BNP Paribas. However, the biggest gains delivered the materials and technology sectors. A key index of manufacturing activity came in better than expected in July, while construction spending rose unexpectedly in June. Bernanke said Monday that financial markets have improved from the depths of the crisis. Telecommunications stocks also strengthened as BlackBerry maker Research In Motion’s decline boosted rivals.

FEAR METER: The S&P500 implied volatility dropped further.

The stock market took a bullish path through July after a batch of stronger-than-expected earnings reports and generally reassuring guidance from U.S. companies. Yields in the Treasury market for each maturity ended the week lower. Q2 GDP report showed an annualized growth rate of 2.4% that was close to expectations and down from an upwardly revised 3.7% growth rate (from 2.7%) in Q1. Investors could be in for another bout of economic jitters this week as the focus shifts from earnings to the weak job market.

FEAR METER: The S&P 500 implied volatility inched lower.

The market slid as investors weighed cautious comments from a regional Fed president. Low summer trading volume exacerbated the market moves. A drop in weekly jobless claims was unable to ignite the market. However, stocks managed to trim early losses. Today’s GDP report s expected to show second-quarter growth at a 2.5%. Amazon little changed after releasing the Kindle 3. Microsoft CEO Ballmer says tablets are ‘job one’ at company.

FEAR METER: The S&P 500 implied volatility little changed.

Stocks dropped as fears about the pace of recovery hit confidence. With no major economic reports on tap for today, investors are likely to turn their attention back to earnings reports, including Motorola. Amazon unveiled the Kindle 3, the newest version of its e-reader and a cheaper Wi-Fi-only model that will sell for $139. Siemens AG reported Thursday a 12% increase in Q3 net profit, as orders and revenue rose fuelled by strong demand in all of its three main divisions.

FEAR METER: The S&P 500 implied volatility rose on surfaced market fears.

Stocks retreat after a three-session run, after a big drop in consumer confidence offset better-than-expected earnings reports. Technology and consumer stocks hit the most. Broadcom posted a climb in quarterly earnings after-hours, but shares slipped about 1%. The Nasdaq index has just cleared two significant technical levels: the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Recent strength signals a potential trend shift, and the Nasdaq’s next test spans from 2,307 to 2,326.

FEAR METER: The S&P 500 implied volatility little changed.

A better-than-expected housing market report tempered worries about the economic outlook. FedEx’s earnings and outlook gave the market some buoyancy. Industrials and consumer discretionary led the S&P 500 higher Monday. Tech stocks started the week off strong Monday, with many bellwethers gaining ground. Market breadth was positive. Trading volume was light – investors prefer to remain on the sidelines amid uncertainty over whether stocks will hold recent gains or if the global economy’s recovery effort is strong enough to warrant those gains in the first place.
Advancing Sectors: Industrials (+1.7%), Financials (+1.6%), Telecom (+1.5%), Consumer Discretionary (+1.5%), Health Care (+1.4%), Energy (+1.1%), Utilities (+0.7%), Tech (+0.6%), Materials (+0.5%), Consumer Staples (+0.4%)
Declining Sectors: None;

FEAR METER: The S&P500 implied volatility fell amid glimmers of economic hope.
IN FOCUS: BP (BP), Lexmark (LXK), Broadcom (BRCM) all make reports on Tuesday.

Stocks managed to climb higher last week as investors welcomed better-than-expected results from UPS (UPS), Microsoft (MSFT), American Express (AXP) and others. The overall impression was encouraging — most companies have topped expectations, though revenue hasn’t been as robust as many analysts had hoped. Tech stocks ended up with several sector leaders cutting losses as the sector rallied with the broad market following results of stress tests of European banks. Microsoft (MSFT) beat analyst estimates with its after-the-bell report Thursday but the stock fell Friday. There were companies that disappointed, such as Amazon.com (AMZN), shares lost 1%.

FEAR METER: The S&P500 implied volatility lost more than 10 percent, closing out the week below 24.
IN FOCUS: On the economic front this week, reports are due on housing, GDP, consumer confidence and the jobs market. New home sales index is due after the start of trading.