After taking a severe beating last week -- in fact, the worst five-day session so far this year -- the Dow Jones Industrials
Today's strong performance can be chalked up in part to encouraging dialogue among world leaders and reassuring support of eurozone stabilization. The G-8 meeting taking place over the weekend reaffirmed those nations' wishes to keep Greece in the eurozone, affirming that they maintained their support for the country, which will once again try to elect a political majority next month.
Also helping support the markets today was China's reassurance that it's determined to maintain economic expansion, possibly indicating that it could use fiscal measures as a way to add some fuel to its already growing industries. This news is a mixed bag, though, because although the promise to grow could encourage investment, extra investment doesn't mean the outcome will lead to a stronger economy.
Today could also be partially a result of investors' discovery of deals in what they consider oversold markets, with energy and technology witnessing an extended buying session. Google finished the day up 2.28%, with news that the giant plans on closing its $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility Holdings
The entire energy industry seemed to enjoy the day, with the encouraging news of euro stabilization and GDP growth. Chevron
Foolish takeaway
The broad markets had an exceptional day, outside of Facebook