WALL ST. >>> Bulls Surrender Intraday Lead

U.S. Stocks declined 5 points at the close

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA – 10,138.52) settled yet another yo-yo session in the red today, giving up 5.3 points, or 0.1%, as 17 of its 30 components ended lower. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Boeing (BA) paced the declining blue chips, while Coca-Cola Co. (KO) and Intel (INTC) paved the path for the 13 advancing equities. During the course of the session, the blue-chip barometer briefly crossed the 10,200 threshold, before succumbing to resistance at its 20-day moving average.
In the same vein, the S&P 500 Index (SPX – 1,074.57) surrendered intraday gains to end 2.2 points, or 0.2%, lower, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP – 2,220.65) finished with a deficit of 2.8 points, or 0.1%.

Crude futures retreated in parity with concerns about a hurricane in the Gulf

Crude futures backpedaled today, thanks to disintegrating concerns about a potential hurricane disrupting production. More specifically, weather experts are no longer predicting Tropical Storm Alex to threaten refining areas in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, the greenback's newfound strength also weighed on black gold, making it more expensive for foreign-currency holders to scoop up the dollar-denominated commodity. By the close, crude oil for August delivery shed 61 cents, or 0.8%, to finish at $78.25 per barrel.