THE CLOSE

Markets closed the day higher but off their best levels of the day. Best indexes included the SPX NDX and OEX while the DJIA and small caps lagged.

Strongest sectors included metals, oils, banks, semis, brokers, retail and trannies while airlines, internets and biotechs lagged.

Winners included SUNW GRMN ISRG MNST MICC F GM ATI XRX CL AMGN WFC DOW NSC PCR TEX CMG ACH and DRYS.

Losers included VSEA GSOL ATN UEIC AAPL AMZN CL VZ IBM CSC MCD HPQ TWX BIIB AKAM WYNN DISCA BEAS and SYMC.

Market internals closed strong with 900 net green on the NYSE and 340 net green on the NAZ; the NDX/OEX were far better at 3/1 winner to loser on the NDX and 8.5/1.5 on the OEX.

Volatility indexes crushed and down about 15% after the big run up last week. They are still way overbought at 15% over their respective 10 day SMA's.

Other stuff:

Ag group was great with BG DE IR MON MTW POT all way up;

Brokers very good with BSC ICE LM NYX acting best;

Healthcare mixed with major drugs generally lower with the exception of SGP SNY and JNJ;

Metals great with BHP FCX GDX PAAS SSRI all with nice gains;

Oils generally higher led by COP CVX FTO HOC TSO VLO and XEC;

Retail bounced led by COH CROX HD UA and WFMI;

Tech a mixed bag as AAPL AKAM AMZN EBAY HPQ IBM MSFT all in the red;

Volume was high at over 2B with 1.5 B up and .5 down; TRIN bullish at .55;