Stocks bounced back today, ending a dreary week on an upbeat note. Thanks to a resurgent tech sector, the Dow tacked on 225 points and reclaimed the 35,000 level as it snapped a three-day losing streak. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both finished comfortably in the black as well, with the latter logging its best single-session gain since July 20. Nevertheless, all three benchmarks posed sharp weekly losses. Elsewhere, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) snapped a four-day win streak today, but still managed its largest weekly pop since June 18.  

The Dow Jones Average (DJI - 35,120.08) added 226 points or 0.7% for the day. Microsoft (MSFT) paced the 25 winners with a 2.6% gain, while Intel (INTC) led the laggards with a 0.8% drop. For the week, the Dow shed 1.1%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 4,441.67) rose 35.9 points or 0.8% for the day. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 14,714.66) gained 172.9 points, or 1.2%, for the day. For the week, the SPX shed 0.6%, while the Nasdaq lost 0.7%.

Lastly, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 18.56) fell 3.1 points or 14.4%, for the day. It gained 20.1% for the week.

OIL LOGS SEVENTH-STRAIGHT LOSS ON EXPIRATION DAY

Oil prices logged a seventh-straight loss today, and turned in a nearly 9% deficit for the week. The outlook for fuel demand continues to be weighed down by increased lockdown measures put in place to combat the delta variant. On its expiration day, September-dated crude futures lost $1.37, or 2.2%, to settle at $62.32 per barrel. October-dated crude futures settled down $1.36, or 2.1%, at $62.14 per barrel.

Gold gained today, but the appeal for the safe-haven asset remained dulled. December-dated gold added 90 cents, or 0.05%, to settle at $1,784 an ounce today. For the week, gold eked out a 0.3% win.