Market Watch 3/24/10

Stock Market Closing Prices – 3/24/10

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close – 10836.15 -52.68
Nasdaq Stock Market Close – 2398.76 -16.48
S&P 500 Close – 1167.72 -6.45

Commodities Closing Prices – 3/24/10
Gold Close - 1088.60 -14.90
Oil Close – 80.30 -0.31
Natural Gas – 4.09

The Dow Falls 53 as credit rating agency downgrades Portugal debt and higher U.S. interest rates boost the dollar. Stocks also lost ground after the Commerce Department said that new home sales unexpectedly fell to a record low last month. Lennar's loss narrows even as new-home sales slump.

Market expert said the recent slow climb in the market signals that investors don't have strong opinions about which way the market is going.

The government's weekly jobless claims report could shape trading Thursday. High unemployment is seen as the biggest obstacle facing the economy.

Stock Market March 25, 2010,

Initial Jobless Claims - Last Week - 8:30am EST

Best Buy to report quarterly results. Before market open.
Oracle to announce quarterly results. After market close.