YAHOO [BRIEFING.COM]: A positive start to earnings season and a surge by the euro sent stocks to their sixth straight gain, but the broader market couldn't quite close above its 50-day moving average.

Stocks traded with strength for the entire session. Market participants responded positively to the latest quarterly report from Dow component Alcoa (AA 11.00, +0.13), which unofficially started earnings season on a strong note with better-than-expected earnings and revenue. Fellow Dow component Chevron (CVX 72.23, +1.38) complemented the report with a statement that it expects sequential earnings growth, which is tantamount to upside guidance given what analysts had already forecast.

Though all 10 major sectors staged gains, financials finished with the best gains. The sector settled 2.6% as bank stocks and diversified financial services shares surged. As such, the KBW Bank Index advanced 3.0%.

Meanwhile, the euro gained 1.0% against the greenback to find a fractionally improved two-month high. The had actually been behind the dollar overnight, but it began a steady climb after Greece held a successful debt auction. Little was made of news that Moody's downgraded Portugal's debt since Moody's had the highest rating on the country ahead of the decision.

While stocks spent the entire session with impressive gains, they couldn't quite muster enough momentum to sustain their first push past the S&P 500's 50-day moving average since early May - the 50-day average currently stands at 1096.

Participation was moderate this session. Specifically, 1.1 billion shares exchanged hands on the NYSE. The 50-day average for trading volume is closer to 1.5 billion shares.

The stock market's strength kept steady pressure on Treasuries this session. They weren't helped by the latest 10-year Note auction, which was met with a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.1, dollar demand of almost $65 billion, and an indirect bidder participation rate of 42%. The prior auction produced a bid-to-cover of 3.2, dollar demand of $68.0 billion, and indirect bidder participation of 40%.

The only items on the economic calendar included a June Treasury budget that showed a $68.4 billion deficit, which is not quite as steep as the $70.0 billion deficit that had been expected, on average, by a sample of economists polled by Briefing.com. There was also a Trade Balance for May that showed a $42.3 billion deficit when a $39.4 billion deficit had been expected, on average, by a sample of economists.

The rally in the equity markets supported commodity prices today, led by a 2% rally in the energy index. Aug crude oil today, closed up 2.9% to settle at $77.15 per barrel, its best level in around two weeks. Aug natural gas finished the day lower by 0.3% to $4.379 per MMBtu.

This morning's downgrade of Portugal's debt, by Moody's, sent precious metals higher, as the sector finished higher by 1.6%. Aug gold futures rallied for 1.2% to close at $1213.50 per ounce, while Sept silver gained 1.9% to close at $18.257 per ounce.

Advancing Sectors: Financials (+2.6%), Consumer Discretionary (+2.5%), Materials (+2.2%), Industrials (+1.9%), Tech (+1.4%), Energy (+1.2%), Telecom (+0.9%), Consumer Staples (+0.8%), Health Care (+0.7%), Utilities (+0.3%)
Declining Sectors: (None) DJ30 +146.75 NASDAQ +43.67 NQ100 +1.3% R2K +3.4% SP400 +2.4% SP500 +16.59 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 2244/2.31 bln/442 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 2644/1.13 bln/387