Stocks failed to find momentum, as investors waited for central banks to decide if the global economy is in need of further stimulus measures. Also, German business sentiment slipped for the fourth consecutive month in August, according to the Ifo Business Climate Index, signaling that there may be further weakness in Europe's largest economy. Best Buy rallied 3.2% after the consumer-electronics chain said it reached agreement with founder Richard Schulze that will let him pursue its acquisition plan. AOL added 2.9% after the co. announced its final steps in returning roughly $1.1 billion to shareholders, as the company authorized a special cash divided of $5.15 per share. Apple shares gained 1.9% after a California jury found Samsung had infringed on the majority of the patents in question and recommended that Apple be awarded more than $1 billion in damages, while Google, which developed the Android operating system used by Samsung and several other smartphone makers, gave up 1.4%. Among other leading tech stocks, IBM shed 1.1% after the co. said it would acquire Kenexa for $1.3 billion, or at $46 a share. Implied volatility inched higher on light trading volumes.
