The ups and downs of the global equity markets during the first quarter of 2013 have been for naught, as they are currently flat. Technology M&A activity is worth noting, as Facebook’s purchase of Oculus follows their WhatsApp deal from last month. In addition, Apple is in talks with Comcast on a set-top box streaming service.

“Global equity markets are up 67 basis points this week with year-to-date returns slightly positive at 0.11%. This year-to-date figure comes despite some early volatility this year which resulted in returns down more than 5% through the first week of February,” said David Krein, Head of Research, NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes.

INDEX MOVES THIS WEEK

• NASDAQ BIOTECHNOLOGY INDEX (NBI) was down 2.95% since Friday’s close. Year-to-date performance for the index is up 5.3% after the recent downward trend.
• PHLX GOLD/SILVER SECTOR (XAU) was down 5.91% as of noon on Wednesday, from the most recent Friday close. The price of gold is currently $1,307 per ounce, down around $30 this week.
• NASDAQ International BuyBack Achievers Index (DRBXUS) was up 1.7% this week with overall year-to-date returns being down 0.50%.

INDEX TO WATCH

• The price of silver has bounced around quite a bit in the last year, starting at just under $29 per ounce, to $19 at the end of January, bouncing back up to $22, then ultimately dropping to under $20 today. Track the space by monitoring the NASDAQ Commodity Silver Index ER (NQCISIER) and the covered call Credit Suisse NASDAQ Silver FLOWS 106 Index Ttl Rt (QSLVOTR).