The markets were up early Friday before giving back those gains and then splitting up to finish mixed at the close. The Nasdaq 100 stayed positive as it added 8 points (-0.18%), the S&P 500 lost 3 (-0.18%) and the Dow Jones industrial average lost 57 -0.34%). Volume was slightly higher Friday but overall was below average.One of the biggest gains in the stock market Friday came from Herbalife (NYSE: HLF), up 20.52%. The nutritional-supplement company said it's in talks with the FTC about a potential resolution to an investigation the FTC started in 2014. Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who made headlines for calling Herbalife a pyramid scheme, is still heavily short. Fridays pop puts HLF up almost 3% now for the year.
On the Nasdaq, shares of Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) gapped and finished the day up almost 10% as impressive Q4 results sparked a buying frenzy Friday. Technical traders will note that the stock is still facing a test of resistance at the 177 level, but there certainly were no shortage of buyers to finish the week.
This week ahead we have what is known as Super Tuesday, where a large portion of states will hold their primary elections for both the democrats and republicans. It very well could be the day that we know the likely nominee for each side. We also have numerous, market-moving releases starting with manufacturing numbers on Tuesday. The main economic news for the week though will likely be on Friday as we get the updated unemployment rate