US equities finish near unchanged for the second day but close out a strong week

Closing changes:

• S&P 500 +0.2%
• DJIA +0.3%
• Nasdaq Comp flat
• Russell 2000 +1.0%
• Toronto TSX Comp +1.2%

Weekly:

• S&P 500 +2.5%
• DJIA +1.4%
• Nasdaq Comp +3.2%
• Russell 2000 +3.6%
• Toronto TSX Comp +3.5%

There were some larger divergences with energy leading the way today behind a 2.0% rise in the XLE ETF. Banks were also strong to help pace the gain in the Russell 2000.

The weekly chart sets up a showdown with the July high but we’ll have to wait until Tuesday as North American markets are closed for a holiday.