Here's a look at some third-quarter performance data for various market indexes and economic indicators:
STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 STOCK INDEXBeginning: 1,030.71.
End: 1,141.20
Percentage change: 10.7 percent (up 2.3 percent overall in 2010).
DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGEBeginning: 9,774.02.
End: 10,788.05
Percentage change: 10.4 percent (up 3.5 percent overall in 2010).
UNEMPLOYMENT RATEBeginning: 9.7 percent in May.
Most recent: 9.6 percent in August.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEXBeginning: 54.3 in June.
End: 48.5 in September.
--Source: The Conference Board. (Based on a monthly survey of 5,000 U.S. households. Baseline of 100 in the index was set in 1985.)
VOLATILITY INDEX (the market's "fear gauge")Beginning: 34.54
End: 23.78
Historical average: 19
--Source: Chicago Board Options Exchange![]()
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