NYSE Dow Jones finished today at:

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 41.55 points or ▲ 0.25% on Friday, 13 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,775.74 ▲ 41.55 ▲ 0.25%
Nasdaq____ 4,310.65 ▲ 13.02 ▲ 0.30%
S&P_500___ 1,936.16 ▲ 6.05 ▲ 0.31%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.41 ▲ 0.00 ▲ 0.06%

NYSE Volume 2,582,930,750
Nasdaq Volume 1,734,185,880

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,777.85 ▼ -65.26 ▼ -0.95%
DAX_____ 9,912.87 ▼ -25.83 ▼ -0.26%
CAC_40__ 4,543.28 ▼ -11.12 ▼ -0.24%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,383.70 ▼ -24.20 ▼ -0.45%
Shanghai_Comp 2,070.71 ▲ 19.00 ▲ 0.93%
Taiwan_Weight 9,196.39 ▼ -8.26 ▼ -0.09%
Nikkei_225___ 15,097.84 ▲ 124.31 ▲ 0.83%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,319.17 ▲ 144.15 ▲ 0.62%
Strait_Times.__ 3,293.25 ▲ 0.24 ▲ 0.01%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,170.51 ▼ -24.60 ▼ -0.47%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stock-market-rises-merger-news-204540140.html

Stock market rises on merger news

Stocks rise on flurry of corporate deals; Intel jumps after raising revenue forecast
Associated Press
By Steve Rothwell, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- A flurry of corporate deals and a positive outlook for the technology industry gave the stock market a lift Friday.

Intel jumped after the company said sales of business computers have been stronger than expected, and raised its revenue forecast. Technology stocks rose on the news, which was also a positive sign for investors who are betting that higher investment from businesses will help drive the economy this year.

Still, major indexes had their first weekly losses in a month. A combination of so-so economic news and concerns about the impact of higher oil prices weighed on stocks earlier in the week.

"The economy is still on a decent trend, but it's choppy and I think we can expect the same for the market," said Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer at First American Trust.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 6.05 points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,936.16. The index ended the week down 0.7 percent after closing at an all-time high of 1,951.27 on Monday.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 41.55 points, or 0.3 percent, to 16,775.74. The Nasdaq composite climbed 13.02 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4,310.65.

Intel was one of the top gainers in the S&P 500 after the company raised its revenue forecast late Thursday and said it expects profit margins to increase. The stock jumped $1.91, or 6.8 percent, to $29.87.

A spurt of merger news also lifted stocks.

Gambling equipment maker International Game Technology was the biggest gainer in the S&P 500. It jumped $1.51, or 10.5 percent, to $15.86 after Reuters reported that a number of companies considered bidding for it.

OpenTable, an online restaurant booking service, surged $34.05, or 48.3 percent, to $104.48 after the company agreed to be acquired by Priceline for $2.6 billion. The deal will help Priceline, an online travel company, branch out into a new business. Priceline's international reach will help OpenTable expand overseas.

The deal sparked speculation that other technology companies could be acquired. Yelp's stock surged $9.08, or nearly 14 percent, to close at $74.92.

Clothes retailer Express jumped $2.90, or 21 percent, to $16.45 after it said it had been approached about a takeover by Sycamore Partners, a New York-based private equity company. Sycamore already owns 9.9 percent of Express' stock.

"It seems like you have a deal almost every day," said John Fox, director of research at Fenimore Asset Management.

While the number of acquisitions completed this year is roughly the same as it was at this point last year, the value has surged. U.S. companies have closed deals worth $714 billion, up 47 percent from $485 billion over the same period last year, according to Dealogic.

The price of crude added modestly to gains from earlier in the week. Crude is rising because Iraq's insurgency threatens to disrupt exports from OPEC's No. 2 oil producer. On Friday, oil nudged up 38 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $106.81 a barrel after a jump of more than $2 the day before. For the week, oil has risen 4 percent.

If the turmoil in Iraq continues and oil prices climb high enough, U.S. growth in the second half of the year may fall short of current estimates, said David Lafferty, the chief market strategist for Natixis Global Asset Management.

In U.S. government bond trading, the yield on the 10-year note rose to 2.61 percent early Friday from 2.60 on Thursday. The yield on a bond rises when its price falls.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 5.27 points or ▲ 0.03% on Monday, 16 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,781.01 ▲ 5.27 ▲ 0.03%
Nasdaq____ 4,321.11 ▲ 10.45 ▲ 0.24%
S&P_500___ 1,937.78 ▲ 1.62 ▲ 0.08%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.40 ▼ -0.01 ▼ -0.44%

NYSE Volume 2,920,162,500
Nasdaq Volume 1,661,299,000

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,754.64 ▼ -23.21 ▼ -0.34%
DAX_____ 9,883.98 ▼ -28.89 ▼ -0.29%
CAC_40__ 4,510.05 ▼ -33.23 ▼ -0.73%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,390.60 ▲ 6.90 ▲ 0.13%
Shanghai_Comp 2,085.98 ▲ 15.27 ▲ 0.74%
Taiwan_Weight 9,202.93 ▲ 6.54 ▲ 0.07%
Nikkei_225___ 14,933.29 ▼ -164.55 ▼ -1.09%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,300.67 ▼ -18.50 ▼ -0.08%
Strait_Times.__ 3,290.26 ▼ -2.99 ▼ -0.09%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,178.80 ▲ 8.29 ▲ 0.16%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stocks-manage-meager-gains-201815193.html

US stocks manage meager gains on mostly quiet day

US stocks manage meager gains in listless trading; Deals lift Covidien, Williams Companies
Associated Press
By Alex Veiga, AP Business Writer

Investors nudged U.S. stocks into positive territory Monday, thanks in part to another round of corporate couplings.

Three proposed acquisitions, including medical device maker Medtronic's $42.9 billion bid for rival Covidien, helped the market eke out a slight gain for the second trading day in a row.

Homebuilding stocks also got a boost from a survey showing that U.S. homebuilders' outlook on the housing market improved this month.

Stocks mostly hovered between small gains and losses through much of the day as traders monitored the conflict in Iraq and considered its potential impact on oil prices.

Major U.S. stock indexes were down in premarket trading, but began to rebound within the first hour as investors bid up shares in Ireland-based Covidien. The stock jumped $14.73, or more than 20 percent, to $86.75. Medtronic shed 67 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $60.03.

"Merger Monday clearly gave a lift to the market," said Joe Peta, managing director at Novus.

Two other deals also drew heightened interest from traders.

Williams Cos. hit an all-time high after the pipeline operator agreed to buy a part of natural gas processor Access Midstream Partners for nearly $6 billion. Williams vaulted $8.84, or 18.7 percent, to $56.02.

TW Telecom climbed $2.65, or 7.3 percent, to $38.99 after the Internet provider agreed to be acquired by Level 3 Communications for about $7.3 billion, including debt. Level 3 shares fell $1.79, or 4.1 percent, to $42.30.

The market was still heading for a loss in the final hour of trading, then recovered within the last 10 minutes.

All told, the Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 1.62 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,937.78. The index is down less than 1 percent from its most recent all-time high of 1,951.27 set a week ago.

Seven of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 index rose, led by utilities.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 5.27 points, or 0.03 percent, to 16,781.01. The Nasdaq composite gained 10.45 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,321.11.

The three stock indexes are all up for the year.

Bond prices were flat. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note held steady at 2.60 percent.

The market has been sluggish in recent months, even as investors have had more than a few geopolitical concerns to worry about. Earlier this year, it was currency concerns in Turkey and then the fallout from Russian-Ukraine tensions. Last week, the insurgency in Iraq erupted, causing a spike in oil prices.

Still, the day-to-day market swings have been mostly minor.

Monday was the 41st day in a row that the S&P 500 did not move 1 percent, one way or the other, Peta noted.

"That lack of volatility is something we have not seen since 1995," he said. "You can call it complacent, or non-volatile or sluggish, but certainly this is a different environment than we've seen for quite some time."

At the same time, a flurry of merger news has helped lift stocks in recent weeks, a trend that underscores that stocks are not seen as expensive right now.

"Companies are looking to redeploy cash, looking to hopefully ignite growth through acquisition," said Sean Lynch, managing director of global equity for Wells Fargo Private Bank.

There was also encouraging news on the housing market.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index rose this month to the highest level since January. The latest report suggests homebuilders' confidence in the housing market is improving. Homebuilder stocks rose, led by LGI Homes, which added 60 cents, or 3.4 percent, to $18.24.

Investors will be looking ahead this week to what the Federal Reserve will say on Wednesday, when it wraps up its latest two-day meeting of its policymaking committee.

"Where we'll see risk injected (into the market) will be if there's anything but a rubber stamp of the Fed waiting until next year to raise rates," he said.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 27.48 points or ▲ 0.16% on Tuesday, 17 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,808.49 ▲ 27.48 ▲ 0.16%
Nasdaq____ 4,337.23 ▲ 16.13 ▲ 0.37%
S&P_500___ 1,941.99 ▲ 4.21 ▲ 0.22%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.45 ▲ 0.05 ▲ 1.44%

NYSE Volume 2,952,588,500
Nasdaq Volume 1,798,400,880

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,766.77 ▲ 12.13 ▲ 0.18%
DAX_____ 9,920.32 ▲ 36.34 ▲ 0.37%
CAC_40__ 4,536.07 ▲ 26.02 ▲ 0.58%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,380.70 ▼ -9.90 ▼ -0.18%
Shanghai_Comp 2,066.70 ▼ -19.28 ▼ -0.92%
Taiwan_Weight 9,240.60 ▲ 37.67 ▲ 0.41%
Nikkei_225___ 14,975.97 ▲ 42.68 ▲ 0.29%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,203.59 ▼ -97.08 ▼ -0.42%
Strait_Times.__ 3,274.44 ▼ -15.82 ▼ -0.48%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,193.50 ▲ 14.70 ▲ 0.28%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-close-higher-banks-gain-210929722.html

Stocks close higher as banks gain on rising rates

US stocks finish higher as uptick in long-term interest rates lifts financial stocks

Associated Press
By Alex Veiga, AP Business Writer

Stocks rebounded from a downbeat start Tuesday, building on small gains for the third day in a row.

News that U.S. consumer prices jumped sharply in May drove up long-term interest rates, setting the stage for the turnaround as investors bid up shares in financial stocks such as E-Trade Financial, Charles Schwab and Goldman Sachs.

Disappointing home construction data had weighed on the market early on, sending homebuilder stocks lower.

The major stock indexes recovered, but only barely above the previous day's close.

"The market is just kind of drifting along. Everybody is trying to figure out how much of a hold this economic expansion can get, if we can get some self-sustaining momentum going," said Brad Sorensen, director of market and sector analysis at the Schwab Center for Financial Research.

Investors may get a better sense of that on Wednesday afternoon, when the Federal Reserve is scheduled to give an update following a two-day meeting of its policy-making committee.

Fed officials are widely expected to keep a key short-term rate near zero. The Fed will also update its economic forecasts.

"We're all waiting to see what the Fed has to say tomorrow," said JJ Kinahan, chief strategist at TD Ameritrade.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 4.21 points, or 0.2 percent, to 1,941.99. The index is down less than 1 percent from its most recent all-time high of 1,951.27 set last week.

Five of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 rose, led by financials. Utilities fell the most.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 27.48 points, or 0.2 percent, to 16,808.49. The Nasdaq composite gained 16.13 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,337.23.

The three stock indexes are all up for the year.

Stocks were down slightly in premarket trading Tuesday as investors got a look at the latest data on U.S. home construction. The Commerce Department reported that homebuilders broke ground on new apartments and houses at an annual rate of 1.01 million homes in May. That's down 6.5 percent from the previous month.

The report sent homebuilder shares mostly lower for much of the morning. Most recovered by the afternoon.

Separately, the Labor Department reported that U.S. consumer prices vaulted last month by the largest amount in more than a year, propelled by rising costs for food, gasoline and airline fares.

The bigger-than-expected hike in prices helped ease demand for government bonds, pushing down bond prices. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.65 percent from 2.60 percent late Monday.

Higher long-term interest rates can translate into more earnings for financial institutions that make loans.

E-Trade Financial was among the biggest gainers, rising $1.58, or 7.7 percent, to $22. Charles Schwab added $1.42, or 5.5 percent, to $27.30.

Banks including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley also posted gains. Morgan Stanley rose 79 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $32.50, while Goldman Sachs gained $2.37, or 1.4 percent, to $168.22. Goldman rose the most of the 30 stocks in the Dow Jones industrial average.

By afternoon, stocks had climbed into positive territory and held on to their gains the rest of the day.

Solid quarterly growth in banking and trading at Jefferies Corp. also raised hopes that investment banking could be strengthening, Kinahan said.

Among other stocks making news Tuesday:

”” GameStop surged 6.8 percent on a report from the NPD Group that revealed huge video game sales in May and likely some bigger margins for the video game retailer. GameStop rose $2.57 to $40.29.

”” UBS and Susquehanna analysts struck an optimistic tone about growth in the travel industry. That helped lift shares in travel website Expedia $3.04, or 4.1 percent, to $77.62. Orbitz Worldwide rose 38 cents, or 4.7 percent, to $8.50.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 98.13 points or ▲ 0.58% on Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,906.62 ▲ 98.13 ▲ 0.58%
Nasdaq____ 4,362.84 ▲ 25.60 ▲ 0.59%
S&P_500___ 1,956.98 ▲ 14.99 ▲ 0.77%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.42 ▼ -0.03 ▼ -0.81%

NYSE Volume 3,066,941,250
Nasdaq Volume 1,836,734,750

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,778.56 ▲ 11.79 ▲ 0.17%
DAX_____ 9,930.33 ▲ 10.01 ▲ 0.10%
CAC_40__ 4,530.37 ▼ -5.70 ▼ -0.13%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,363.90 ▼ -16.80 ▼ -0.31%
Shanghai_Comp 2,055.52 ▼ -11.18 ▼ -0.54%
Taiwan_Weight 9,279.93 ▲ 39.33 ▲ 0.43%
Nikkei_225___ 15,115.80 ▲ 139.83 ▲ 0.93%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,181.72 ▼ -21.87 ▼ -0.09%
Strait_Times.__ 3,277.32 ▲ 2.88 ▲ 0.09%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,184.46 ▼ -9.04 ▼ -0.17%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-close-higher-4th-straight-212605389.html

Stocks close higher for 4th straight day

US stocks add to weekly gains, get lift as Federal Reserve further trims its bond purchases

Associated Press
By Alex Veiga, AP Business Writer

The Federal Reserve's latest economic update reversed a listless slide for stocks Wednesday, propelling the Standard & Poor's 500 index to another record-high close.

The central bank's statement reassure investors on two fronts: The Fed sees improvement in the U.S. job market and signs of just modest inflation, but it also intends to continue keeping short-term interest rates low, a policy that's helped make stocks more attractive.

The market had been in a wait-and-see mode in advance of the Fed statement, drifting lower for much of the day. The afternoon rebound gave the stock market its fourth consecutive gain.

"The important thing is that the Federal Reserve has acknowledged that the unemployment rate seems to be coming down just a little bit faster than they expected," said David Kelly, chief global strategist at J.P. Morgan Funds.

Major U.S. stock indexes were mostly flat in premarket trading Wednesday. They wavered through much of the morning then settled slightly in the red, where they held right up to the release of the Federal Reserve's statement at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Stock investors appeared pleased with the Fed's message that rates would remain low. That sent indexes up more than half a percentage point.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 14.99 points, or 0.8 percent, to 1,956.98, a record close. The most recent all-time high was 1,951.27 set early last week.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 98.13 points, or 0.6 percent, to 16,906.62. The Nasdaq composite gained 25.60 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4,362.84.

The three indexes are all up for the year.

The Fed expects the U.S. economy to grow just 2.1 percent to 2.3 percent this year, down from 2.8 percent to 3 percent in its last projections released in March.

At a news conference Wednesday, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said that despite a steadily improving job market and signs of creeping inflation, the Fed sees no need to raise short-term interest rates from record lows anytime soon.

The Fed statement also appeared to whet investors' appetite for bonds. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.59 percent Wednesday from 2.65 percent late Tuesday.

Kelly noted that even if short-term interest rates rise to 2.5 percent by the end of 2016, it doesn't make sense that long-term rates, as reflected by the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, are as low as they are.

"That's a sign of excess demand in the bond market," he said. "The message for investors is: Be careful. Because long-term interest rates are in the wrong place and they'll likely gradually move up."

Investors looking for yield continued to invest in utilities stocks Wednesday.

Utilities posted the biggest gain in the S&P 500 index's 10 sectors, rising 2.2 percent. The sector is up more than 14 percent this year.

Among other stocks in the news Wednesday:

”” FedEx gained $8.64, or 6.2 percent, to $148.95 after the company reported that its quarterly profit rose as growth in online shopping gave its ground-shipping business a boost. Earnings and revenue both topped Wall Street's expectations.

”” Air Products & Chemicals surged $9.12, or about 7.5 percent, to $130.72 after the specialty gas company announced it hired Rockwood's Seifi Ghasemi as its new chairman and CEO to replace its retiring chief executive.

”” Food maker ConAgra sank $2.38, or 7.2 percent, to $30.47 after it slashed its fourth-quarter earnings outlook, citing slumping sales for its consumer foods segment, as well as weak profits for its private brands unit.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 14.84 points or ▲ 0.09% on Thursday, 19 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,921.46 ▲ 14.84 ▲ 0.09%
Nasdaq____ 4,359.33 ▼ -3.51 ▼ -0.08%
S&P_500___ 1,959.48 ▲ 2.50 ▲ 0.13%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.46 ▲ 0.04 ▲ 1.20%

NYSE Volume 2,930,979,750
Nasdaq Volume 1,824,844,380

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,808.11 ▲ 29.55 ▲ 0.44%
DAX_____ 10,004.00 ▲ 73.67 ▲ 0.74%
CAC_40__ 4,563.04 ▲ 32.67 ▲ 0.72%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,446.40 ▲ 82.50 ▲ 1.54%
Shanghai_Comp 2,023.73 ▼ -31.78 ▼ -1.55%
Taiwan_Weight 9,316.81 ▲ 36.88 ▲ 0.40%
Nikkei_225___ 15,361.16 ▲ 245.36 ▲ 1.62%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,167.73 ▼ -13.99 ▼ -0.06%
Strait_Times.__ 3,269.02 ▼ -7.78 ▼ -0.24%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,192.15 ▲ 7.69 ▲ 0.15%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/recovery-gives-p-500-another-201838305.html

Late recovery gives S&P 500 another record close

A late push sends S&P 500 to another record high close and fifth straight gain; Kroger soars
Associated Press
By Alex Veiga, AP Business Writer

Investors remained in a record-setting mood Thursday.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index closed at an all-time high for the second time in two days and notched its fifth gain in five days.

The Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq composite ended mixed after drifting between small gains and losses for much of the day.

The three key stock indexes all opened higher, holding on to tiny gains in premarket trading as investors sized up the latest data on unemployment aid applications and an index of economic indicators.

The Labor Department reported that applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to 312,000, the lowest in more than six years. The Conference Board added to the good news, saying its index of leading indicators rose 0.5 percent in May from the previous month.

The market began to drift lower, however, as investors looked beyond the economic data and focused instead on a mixed bag of corporate earnings from companies such as Kroger, Rite Aid and Pier 1 Imports.

By midday, stocks veered into the red, where they remained until halfway through the final hour of trading, when a late push elevated the S&P 500 and Dow barely higher on the day.

"Right now we're in a situation where they're pretty boring markets, just a slow, easy grind," said Chris Gaffney, a senior market strategist at EverBank Wealth Management.

The S&P 500 index rose 2.50 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,959.48. That's slightly above the prior day's record close of 1,956.98. The last time the index closed at a record high was June 9th.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 14.84 points, or 0.1 percent, to 16,921.46. The Nasdaq composite slipped 3.51 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,359.33.

The three indexes are all up for the year.

The string of record highs has the S&P 500 index running ahead of its 50-day moving average. That suggests it could be in for a pullback, said Jim Russell, senior equity strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management. Russell still expects the market to move higher in coming months.

"We think the environment is still favorable for equities to have an upward bias," Russell said. "It's still too early to put the bear suit on."

Despite its upward bent, the market has been mostly registering small moves, reflecting a cautious mood on the part of many investors heading into summer, as well as lingering concern over the possible fallout from the crisis in Iraq and questions over the resiliency of the U.S. economy.

The U.S. economy shrank at an annual rate of 1 percent in the January-March quarter, the victim of a severe winter which slowed business activity in a number of areas. Many analysts anticipate growth rebounded strongly in the April-June quarter.

"We know the economy is showing signs of improvement, and we've seen that trajectory over the past two or three months," said Russell. "To move the equity market to a higher level we need to see anecdotal evidence that company earnings are starting to increase."

The market will get a sense of that next month, when the next round of corporate earnings begins. Until then, the next key market mover will likely be the June jobs report, due out the first week of July.

On Thursday, investors waded through a mixed bag of corporate news.

Kroger rose $2.39, or 5.1 percent, to $49.66 after the supermarket operator raised its earnings forecast for the year. American Apparel jumped 6.7 percent after the company's board said it would fire the CEO. The stock rose 4 cents to close at 68 cents.

Other companies didn't fare as well.

Rite Aid reported its fiscal first-quarter earnings sank 55 percent due to higher-than-expected drug costs and other expenses. The stock fell 26 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $7.18.

Pier 1 Imports tumbled 13.1 percent after the furniture retailer's quarterly profit fell short of Wall Street expectations. The company also lowered its full-year forecast. The stock fell $2.40 to $15.86.

Investors also hammered the stock of luxury goods maker Coach after the company said it will shutter about 70 underperforming stores in a bid to regain ground lost to competitors. The stock fell $3.50, or 8.9 percent, to $35.69.

All told, six of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 index rose, led by utilities. The sector is up 15.1 percent this year as investors have piled into stocks that pay high dividends. Technology stocks fell the most.

Bond prices fell, sending the yield on the 10-year Treasury note up to 2.63 percent from 2.59 percent late Wednesday.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 25.62 points or ▲ 0.15% on Friday, 20 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,947.08 ▲ 25.62 ▲ 0.15%
Nasdaq____ 4,368.04 ▲ 8.71 ▲ 0.20%
S&P_500___ 1,962.87 ▲ 3.39 ▲ 0.17%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.45 ▼ -0.01 ▼ -0.20%

NYSE Volume 4,260,380,000
Nasdaq Volume 2,694,645,750

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,825.20 ▲ 17.09 ▲ 0.25%
DAX_____ 9,987.24 ▼ -16.76 ▼ -0.17%
CAC_40__ 4,541.34 ▼ -21.70 ▼ -0.48%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,401.60 ▼ -44.80 ▼ -0.82%
Shanghai_Comp 2,026.67 ▲ 2.94 ▲ 0.15%
Taiwan_Weight 9,273.79 ▼ -43.02 ▼ -0.46%
Nikkei_225___ 15,349.42 ▼ -11.74 ▼ -0.08%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,194.06 ▲ 26.33 ▲ 0.11%
Strait_Times.__ 3,258.80 ▼ -10.22 ▼ -0.31%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,145.03 ▼ -47.12 ▼ -0.91%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-manage-small-gains-dow-201207572.html

Stocks manage small gains; Dow, S&P 500 at records

Stocks manage small gains; Dow and Standard & Poor's 500 index renew records; CarMax soars
Associated Press
By Alex Veiga, AP Business Writer

Stocks inched past more milestones Friday, delivering the third consecutive record-high close for the Standard & Poor's 500 index and a new high for the Dow Jones industrial average.

The S&P 500 is now up 6.2 percent for the year, while the Dow is up 2.2 percent. The major stock indexes all finished ahead for the week.

On a light day for U.S. economic data, investors mostly focused on companies in the news, such as CarMax, Oracle and Darden Restaurants. They also kept an eye on the developing conflict in Iraq, which pushed oil prices near a nine-month high.

Despite the record-setting moves, it was largely a static day for the stock indexes.

"Generally speaking, any big movements will come when we start earnings season in a couple of weeks," said Drew Wilson, equity analyst with Fenimore Asset Management. "Until then, it'll be hand-to-hand combat in the indexes."

The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq composite started off in the green during premarket trading and remained mostly higher all day.

By the last hour of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average was on track for a record close. More than half of the 30 companies in the index rose, raising the possibility that the Dow might breach the 17,000 mark soon.

"If the economy continues to grow the way it's growing and the Federal Reserve remains as supportive as it is, I think we have more highs to achieve before the year is out," said Krishna Memani, chief investment officer at OppenheimerFunds.

All told, the S&P 500 index rose 3.39 points, or 0.2 percent, to 1,962.87. That's slightly above the prior day's record close of 1,959.48. On Wednesday, the index notched another high at 1,956.98. It has risen five out of the last six weeks.

The Dow added 25.62 points, or 0.2 percent, to 16,947.08.

The Dow's previous high was June 10, when it closed at 16,945.92.

The Nasdaq composite gained 8.71 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,368.04. The Nasdaq is still well below its dot-com era peak of just over 5,000.

U.S. government bonds prices were little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note slipped to 2.61 percent from 2.62 percent late Thursday.

The market has been mostly registering small moves, as stocks hover in record territory while questions persist over the resiliency of the U.S. economy and unrest in Iraq and elsewhere.

The Federal Reserve's remarks midweek helped nudge the market higher this week, reassuring investors that the central bank intends to continue keeping short-term interest rates low, a policy that's helped make stocks more attractive.

"It clearly was a driver that is definitely helping the market," Memani said. "The markets would have reacted even better than they have so far if the Iraq issue wasn't hanging over the market."

Absent any major geopolitical developments, investors will likely focus next week on the latest batch of housing data.

"Housing has been, as of late, a less-than-stellar horse in the recovery," Wilson said. "A lot of people will parse the housing data pretty carefully and that could move the markets."

CarMax was among the stocks driving market action Friday.

The used car dealership operator reported a 16 percent jump in first-quarter earnings. The stock gained $7.47, or 16.5 percent, to $52.75. Shares in rival AutoNation rose $2.91, or 5.1 percent, to $59.42.

A group of drugmakers also helped move the S&P 500 higher. Eli Lilly added $2.18, or 3.6 percent, to $62.03, while Alexion Pharmaceuticals rose $5.77, or 3.6 percent, to $165.46. Amgen added $3.12, or 2.6 percent, to $120.97.

Five of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 index posted gains, led by energy stocks. Utilities fell the most.

Among the big decliners Friday was RadioShack, which plunged 10.4 percent, falling below $1 per share for the first time. The electronics retailer has struggled to turn around its business, hurt by declining revenue. The stock shed 11 cents to 92 cents.

Darden Restaurants fell after reporting a 35 percent drop in quarterly earnings. The stock slid $1.94, or 3.9 percent, to $47.58.

Oracle also had a rough day as investors reacted to disappointing earnings from the software maker late Thursday. The stock slumped $1.69, or 4 percent, to $40.82.

6445

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -9.82 points or ▼ -0.06% on Monday, 23 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,937.26 ▼ -9.82 ▼ -0.06%
Nasdaq____ 4,368.68 ▲ 0.64 ▲ 0.01%
S&P_500___ 1,962.61 ▼ -0.26 ▼ -0.01%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.45 ▼ 0.00 ▼ -0.09%

NYSE Volume 2,695,851,000
Nasdaq Volume 1,696,511,120

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,800.56 ▼ -24.64 ▼ -0.36%
DAX_____ 9,920.92 ▼ -83.08 ▼ -0.83%
CAC_40__ 4,515.57 ▼ -25.77 ▼ -0.57%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,432.70 ▲ 31.10 ▲ 0.58%
Shanghai_Comp 2,024.37 ▼ -2.31 ▼ -0.11%
Taiwan_Weight 9,228.35 ▼ -45.44 ▼ -0.49%
Nikkei_225___ 15,369.28 ▲ 19.86 ▲ 0.13%
Hang_Seng.__ 22,804.81 ▼ -389.25 ▼ -1.68%
Strait_Times.__ 3,257.40 ▼ -1.40 ▼ -0.04%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,126.16 ▼ -18.87 ▼ -0.37%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-slip-below-records-fmc-202050106.html

Stocks slip below records; FMC falls

Stocks make small losses, slipping below record levels as investors assess corporate news
Associated Press
By Steve Rothwell, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks fell for the first time in seven days, ending a run that had pushed the indexes to all-time highs, as investors assessed corporate news.

Chemical company FMC fell the most in the Standard & Poor's 500 index after cutting its earnings forecast for the second quarter due because its Agricultural Solutions unit performed worse than expected in the period. General Electric and Wisconsin Energy both dropped after announcing acquisitions.

The stock market has climbed steadily in the last two months amid signs that the economy has recovered its momentum after being disrupted by an unusually harsh winter. Stronger growth should translate into higher corporate profits.

"The market has had a good run and it needs to pause," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Rockwell Global Capital.

The S&P 500 fell a fraction of a point, or less than 0.1 percent, to 1,962.61. The index closed at a record 1,962.87 on Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 9.82 points, or less than 0.1 percent, to 16,937.26. The Nasdaq composite index edged up 0.64 point, or less than 0.01 percent, to 4,368.68.

FMC dropped $3.65, or 4.9 percent, to $71.10 after the company lowered its earnings forecast for the second-quarter, saying that the impact of the cold winter had been much stronger than it had originally anticipated.

Investors were also watching deal news that produced both winners and losers.

General Electric dropped 29 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $26.68 after agreeing to acquire most of the power generation business belonging to Alstom, a French company. Wisconsin Energy fell $1.62, or 3.5 percent, to $45.27 after the company said that it was buying Integrys Energy for $5.8 billion.

Intergrys was among the winners. The company's stock jumped $7.40, or 12.1 percent, to $68.35 on the news.

Micros Systems also gained on deal news. The software company's stock rose $2.21, or 3.4 percent, to $67.98 after Oracle said it was buying the company for about $5.3 billion.

The stock market may be heading for a summer lull after its latest record-setting run, as investors wait for more confirmation that the economic outlook is improving, said Scott Wren, a senior equity strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors. The S&P 500 is up 6.2 percent for the year after trading mostly sideways for the first three months of the year.

"After the big run we've had over the past couple of months, a week or two of consolidation isn't anything out of the ordinary," said Wren.

In government bond trading, prices edged lower. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves in the opposite direction to its price, rose to 2.62 percent.

The price of oil fell 66 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $106.17 a barrel.

Among other stocks making big moves:

Lululemon rose $1.02, or 2.5 percent, to $41.25 after The Wall Street Journal reported that the company's founder was working with Goldman Sachs to shake up the yoga clothing company's board. Lululemon's stock is down 30 percent this year as the company works on improving its business since pulling one of its popular yoga pants from stores last spring because they were too sheer.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -119.13 points or ▼ -0.70% on Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,818.13 ▼ -119.13 ▼ -0.70%
Nasdaq____ 4,350.36 ▼ -18.32 ▼ -0.42%
S&P_500___ 1,949.98 ▼ -12.63 ▼ -0.64%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.41 ▼ -0.04 ▼ -1.25%

NYSE Volume 3,058,404,500
Nasdaq Volume 1,949,096,250

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,787.07 ▼ -13.49 ▼ -0.20%
DAX_____ 9,938.08 ▲ 17.16 ▲ 0.17%
CAC_40__ 4,518.34 ▲ 2.77 ▲ 0.06%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,415.10 ▼ -17.60 ▼ -0.32%
Shanghai_Comp 2,033.93 ▲ 9.57 ▲ 0.47%
Taiwan_Weight 9,246.20 ▲ 17.85 ▲ 0.19%
Nikkei_225___ 15,376.24 ▲ 6.96 ▲ 0.05%
Hang_Seng.__ 22,880.64 ▲ 75.83 ▲ 0.33%
Strait_Times.__ 3,262.03 ▲ 4.63 ▲ 0.14%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,121.21 ▼ -4.96 ▼ -0.10%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-end-lower-traders-sell-203743686.html

Stocks end lower as traders sell blue chips

Stocks close mostly lower as large-company stocks fall; Vertex lifts biotechnology sector
Associated Press
By Ken Sweet, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- The stock market had its biggest decline in two weeks Tuesday, led by a sell-off in blue-chip bank and energy stocks. Homebuilders rose after the government reported sales of new homes rose in May to the highest level in six years.

The late-afternoon selling came during a relatively quiet week for Wall Street. Traders said the selling might be tied to large mutual funds having to rebalance their portfolios ahead of the end of the quarter next week. Other traders pointed to the ongoing violence in Iraq as a reason to pull out of the market ahead of the end of the quarter.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 119.13 points, or 0.7 percent, to 16,818.13. The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 12.63 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,949.98 and the Nasdaq composite fell 18.32 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,350.36.

The Dow fell more than the S&P 500 and Nasdaq as investors sold large, brand-name stocks. Exxon Mobil, Boeing, American Express and JPMorgan Chase all fell 1 percent or more.

The selling in blue-chip stocks marks a recent and notable change in trader behavior. Stocks of large, diversified companies have been among the most popular with investors this year. With the quarter end and mid-year approaching, it's not uncommon for investors to sell some of the best performing names to rebalance their portfolios.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals was a bright spot in the S&P 500. The drug company soared $26.92, or 40 percent, to $93.53 after Vertex said its treatment for cystic fibrosis appeared to work better than a placebo in a late-stage study. Vertex plans to seek approval for the treatment in the U.S. and Europe.

Traders say it's a positive sign to see investors heading back into biotechnology stocks. The sector was among the hardest hit in March and April. Even with today's declines, the S&P 500 Biotechnology index rose 1.3 percent.

"That was a growth area that worried a lot of people, but the news out of Vertex is very bullish," said Ian Winer, director of stock trading at Wedbush Securities. "The news has renewed a risk appetite in that space we have not seen in months."

Micron Technology jumped $1.24, or 4 percent, to $32.50, making it the second-biggest advancer in the S&P 500. The semiconductor maker reported better-than-expected earnings and raised its forecast for the next quarter. Dow component Intel, another major chipmaker, rose 27 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $30.50.

Homebuilder stocks also did well Tuesday after the Commerce Department said sales of new homes jumped 18.6 percent in May to an annualized rate of 504,000. That's the highest level since May 2008.

International concerns remain an issue for investors as well. The United Nations said Tuesday that more than 1,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Iraq so far this month, the highest death toll since the U.S. military withdrew from the country in December 2011. In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai's stock market fell 6.7 percent Tuesday and Abu Dhabi's fell 3.3 percent.

Bond prices rose as investors sought safety amid the stock market declines. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.58 percent from 2.63 on Monday.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 49.38 points or ▲ 0.29% on Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,867.51 ▲ 49.38 ▲ 0.29%
Nasdaq____ 4,379.76 ▲ 29.40 ▲ 0.68%
S&P_500___ 1,959.53 ▲ 9.55 ▲ 0.49%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.38 ▼ -0.03 ▼ -0.73%

NYSE Volume 3,093,660,500
Nasdaq Volume 1,694,889,250

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,733.62 ▼ -53.45 ▼ -0.79%
DAX_____ 9,867.75 ▼ -70.33 ▼ -0.71%
CAC_40__ 4,460.60 ▼ -57.74 ▼ -1.28%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,386.80 ▼ -28.30 ▼ -0.52%
Shanghai_Comp 2,025.50 ▼ -8.43 ▼ -0.41%
Taiwan_Weight 9,242.16 ▼ -4.04 ▼ -0.04%
Nikkei_225___ 15,266.61 ▼ -109.63 ▼ -0.71%
Hang_Seng.__ 22,866.70 ▼ -13.94 ▼ -0.06%
Strait_Times.__ 3,261.54 ▼ -0.49 ▼ -0.02%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,104.54 ▼ -16.66 ▼ -0.33%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-edge-higher-despite-economic-144425004.html

Stocks edge higher despite economic data

Stocks edge higher despite reports that show sluggish economy; Monsanto jumps
Associated Press
By Ken Sweet, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. stock market inched modestly higher Wednesday, recovering more than half of what it lost the day before, as investors were able to set aside two disappointing economic reports.

CBS and other broadcasters rose after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of them over a startup Internet company in a closely watched copyright case. Monsanto rose after the agricultural company announced a big stock buyback and reported earnings that beat analysts' estimates.

"The trend for this market is still, for the time being, up," said Anastasia Amoroso, a global market strategist with J.P. Morgan Funds.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 9.55 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,959.53. The index fell roughly 13 points the day before. The Nasdaq composite rose 29.40 points, or 0.7 percent, to 4,379.76 and the Dow Jones industrial average rose 49.38 points, or 0.3 percent, to 16,867.51.

Consumer discretionary stocks were among the biggest advancers, a sector that includes broadcasters and other media companies. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Aereo would have to pay broadcast companies when it takes television programs from the airwaves and allows subscribers to watch them on smartphones and other portable devices.

It was a major win for the broadcast industry, which had argued that Aereo should have to pay for programming the same way cable and satellite providers have to.

CBS rose $3.64, or 6 percent, to $62.48 and Walt Disney, which owns ABC, rose $1.22, or 1.5 percent, to $83.90. TV station owners also rose. Sinclair Broadcasting jumped $4.56, or 16 percent, to $33.80.

Investors weren't fazed by two negative economic reports released Wednesday.

In a revised estimate, the Commerce Department said the U.S. economy shrank at annual rate of 2.9 percent in the first three months of the year. Two-thirds of the downward revision reflected a decline in health care spending. The Commerce Department also said orders for long-lasting goods sank 1 percent in May as demand for military equipment fell sharply.

"GDP for the first quarter was not bad, it was horrible," said Doug Cote and Karyn Cavanaugh of Voya Investment Management, in a note to investors.

Investors said the GDP report didn't tell them anything they already knew. Many have already attributed weakness in the U.S. during the first three months of the year to unusually harsh winter weather.

"We need to be looking toward earnings season next month, not at a report from three months ago," JPMorgan's Amoroso said.

Government bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which falls when prices rise, dropped to 2.56 percent from 2.58 percent late Tuesday.

Pioneer Natural Resources and Enterprise Products rose after The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. government was loosening a longstanding ban by letting those two companies sell a certain kind of unrefined American oil internationally. The newspaper said the Obama administration would allow foreign buyers to purchase a type of ultralight oil known as condensate, which can be turned into gasoline, jet fuel and diesel.

Pioneer rose $11.42, or 5 percent, to $233.07 and Enterprise rose $1.03, or 1.4 percent, to $77.14.

In other company news:

”” Monsanto's earnings fell more than 5 percent but its overall results still beat analysts' estimates. The company, which sells corn and soybean seeds, also announced plans to spend up to $10 billion on buying its own stock. Monsanto rose $6.10 to $126.73.

”” Barnes & Noble rose $1.09, or 5 percent, to $21.65 after the bookseller said it would split into two publicly traded companies, one focused on retail bookselling and one on its Nook Media business, which sells electronic reading devices.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -21.38 points or ▼ -0.13% on Thursday, 26 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,846.13 ▼ -21.38 ▼ -0.13%
Nasdaq____ 4,379.05 ▼ -0.71 ▼ -0.02%
S&P_500___ 1,957.22 ▼ -2.31 ▼ -0.12%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.34 ▼ -0.04 ▼ -1.09%

NYSE Volume 2,774,919,250
Nasdaq Volume 1,536,830,120

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,735.12 ▲ 1.50 ▲ 0.02%
DAX_____ 9,804.90 ▼ -62.85 ▼ -0.64%
CAC_40__ 4,439.63 ▼ -20.97 ▼ -0.47%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,446.80 ▲ 60.00 ▲ 1.11%
Shanghai_Comp 2,038.68 ▲ 13.18 ▲ 0.65%
Taiwan_Weight 9,320.94 ▲ 78.78 ▲ 0.85%
Nikkei_225___ 15,308.49 ▲ 41.88 ▲ 0.27%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,197.83 ▲ 331.13 ▲ 1.45%
Strait_Times.__ 3,278.57 ▲ 17.03 ▲ 0.52%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,130.15 ▲ 25.61 ▲ 0.50%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-head-lower-wall-street-142427460.html

Stocks head lower on Wall Street, led by banks

Financial firms lead stock market to slight loss; Morgan Stanley and Citigroup sink
Associated Press
By Matthew Craft, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Banks and other financial firms tugged the stock market slightly lower Thursday as a mixed batch of economic reports and earnings results gave investors little reason to push the market up.

Barclays sank following news that New York's attorney general sued the British bank, claiming that it favored high-frequency traders over large institutions in its private-trading platform, known as a "dark pool."

It was only the third loss in 10 trading days for the Standard & Poor's 500 index, which closed at its latest record high just under a week ago, on June 20. Many investors have been saying stocks could be due for a pullback given their rapid rise recently.

Phil Orlando, chief equity strategist at Federated Investors, said a short slump in the summer months wouldn't come as a surprise. "I fully expect to see a hiccup here, but I wouldn't get too worried about it," he said. "It's probably going to set us up for a nice end-of-the-year rally."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index sank 2.31 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 1,957.22, while the Nasdaq composite index fell 0.71 of a point to 4,379.05.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 21.38 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 16,846.13.

Two economic reports out early Thursday offered little encouragement. In one, the government said the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits declined last week, another sign that an economic slowdown earlier this year hasn't caused employers to shed workers. In a separate report, the government said consumer spending inched up 0.2 percent last month, half the increase that economists had predicted.

Among the stocks making big moves, Bed Bath & Beyond sank 7 percent, the biggest loss in the S&P 500, after the retailer posted quarterly earnings and sales late Wednesday that fell short of analysts' estimates. The store's stock dropped $4.41 to $56.70.

GoPro jumped 31 percent in its stock-market debut. The company, whose cameras get strapped to the heads of skydivers, extreme skiers and surfers, raised $427 million in its initial public offering Thursday. GoPro soared $7.34 to $31.34 in its first day of trading on the Nasdaq stock market.

With one trading day left in the week, the S&P 500 is on track for its second weekly loss this month. That shouldn't worry anyone, said Randy Frederick, managing director of active trading and derivatives at the Charles Schwab Center for Financial Research. As the stock market set a series of all-time highs this spring, more traders began laying bets in the options market that the market would take a fall, if only for technical reasons. Markets can only go so far in one direction.

"There's nothing to get panicked about," Frederick said. "We haven't had a real pullback in a while. And when we have one, they turn out to be buying opportunities. This time is no different."

In the market for government bonds, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note dropped to 2.52 percent from 2.56 percent late Wednesday. Bond yields fall when prices rise.

Among companies in the news:

— Barclays' U.S.-listed shares fell $1.16, or 7 percent, to $14.55. Other banks that operate private-trading platforms also fell. Morgan Stanley and Citigroup each fell more than 1 percent.

— Alcoa plans to acquire Firth Rixson, a British maker of jet-engine parts, for $2.9 billion, as the company continues to shift away from its aluminum-smelting roots. Alcoa's stock rose 39 cents, or 3 percent, to $14.94.

— Iron Mountain soared $5.97, or 20 percent, to $35.74 after the information storage and management company said it is moving ahead with its conversion to a real estate investment trust, which could reduce taxes and increase returns for stockholders.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 5.71 points or ▲ 0.03% on Friday, 27 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,851.84 ▲ 5.71 ▲ 0.03%
Nasdaq____ 4,397.93 ▲ 18.88 ▲ 0.43%
S&P_500___ 1,960.96 ▲ 3.74 ▲ 0.19%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.37 ▲ 0.02 ▲ 0.63%

NYSE Volume 4,204,348,000
Nasdaq Volume 3,788,920,250

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,757.77 ▲ 22.65 ▲ 0.34%
DAX_____ 9,815.17 ▲ 10.27 ▲ 0.10%
CAC_40__ 4,436.99 ▼ -2.64 ▼ -0.06%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,429.10 ▼ -17.70 ▼ -0.32%
Shanghai_Comp 2,036.51 ▼ -2.17 ▼ -0.11%
Taiwan_Weight 9,306.83 ▼ -14.11 ▼ -0.15%
Nikkei_225___ 15,095.00 ▼ -213.49 ▼ -1.39%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,221.52 ▲ 23.69 ▲ 0.10%
Strait_Times.__ 3,271.05 ▼ -7.52 ▼ -0.23%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,144.25 ▲ 14.09 ▲ 0.27%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-notch-tiny-gains-still-204404337.html

Stocks notch tiny gains, but still end week lower

Stock manage slight gains but still end the week slightly lower; DuPont drops on outlook
Associated Press
By Matthew Craft, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Summertime settled into Wall Street on Friday as major stock indexes drifted slightly higher going into the weekend. The listless day of trading left the stock market with a tiny loss for the week, its second this month.

A handful of corporate results drove trading in some big names. Warnings of weaker earnings pushed DuPont down, while stronger results pushed Nike up. But the overall market was essentially flat.

"The fact is, it's the summer, and there isn't much happening," said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at BMO Private Bank in Chicago.

That could change quickly. Turmoil in the Middle East could easily rattle U.S. markets, especially if the fighting in Iraq drives oil prices too high, Ablin said. Rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia also remain a concern.

"The risk in the summer typically isn't financial, it's political," he said. "This summer it's geopolitical: Iraq and Ukraine."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index edged up 3.74 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 1,960.96. The most widely used benchmark for stock funds lost 1.91 points for the week, a loss of 0.1 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 5.71 points, less than 0.1 percent, to close at 16,851.84, while the Nasdaq composite rose 18.88 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,397.93.

Many investors have been waiting for the market to take a break from its long climb. The S&P 500 has gained 5.8 percent in three months and reached its latest all-time high on June 20, one week ago.

In Friday trading, Micheals Companies made a minor gain in its return to the stock market. Bain Capital and the Blackstone Group, two private equity firms, bought the operator of arts and crafts stores in 2006 and returned it to investors in a $472 million initial public offering. Much of the money raised in the IPO will be used to pay down debt. The company's stock rose 2 cents to $17.02, just two cents above its IPO price.

DuPont dropped $2.26, or 3 percent, to $65.44. The company cut its profit forecast late Thursday as a result of weaker sales of corn seeds.

Nike gained 82 cents, or 1 percent, to $77.68 after reporting earnings late Thursday that beat Wall Street's expectations. Stronger worldwide sales offset marketing costs for the World Cup soccer tournament. Nike provided the outfits for 10 national teams, including Team USA, for the World Cup in Brazil.

Bond prices were little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note held steady at 2.53 percent. The price of oil fell 10 cents to settle at $105.74 a barrel.

6988

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -25.24 points or ▼ -0.15% on Monday, 30 June 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,826.60 ▼ -25.24 ▼ -0.15%
Nasdaq____ 4,408.18 ▲ 10.25 ▲ 0.23%
S&P_500___ 1,960.23 ▼ -0.73 ▼ -0.04%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.34 ▼ -0.03 ▼ -0.80%

NYSE Volume 3,004,860,250
Nasdaq Volume 1,829,511,500

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,743.94 ▼ -13.83 ▼ -0.20%
DAX_____ 9,833.07 ▲ 17.90 ▲ 0.18%
CAC_40__ 4,422.84 ▼ -14.15 ▼ -0.32%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,382.00 ▼ -47.10 ▼ -0.87%
Shanghai_Comp 2,048.33 ▲ 11.92 ▲ 0.59%
Taiwan_Weight 9,393.07 ▲ 86.24 ▲ 0.93%
Nikkei_225___ 15,162.10 ▲ 67.10 ▲ 0.44%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,190.72 ▼ -30.80 ▼ -0.13%
Strait_Times.__ 3,255.67 ▼ -15.38 ▼ -0.47%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,141.48 ▼ -2.77 ▼ -0.05%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-end-mixed-p-closes-204326533.html

Stocks end mixed; S&P closes near all-time high

Stocks end mixed; S&P 500 gains in the second-quarter, ending period close to all-time high
Associated Press
By Steve Rothwell, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- The stock market closed out the second quarter regaining its upward momentum as investors were encouraged by an improving economy.

Stocks have resumed their upward trajectory after getting off to their worst start in five years in the first quarter. Investors sold stocks in January as they worried about the impact of an unusually harsh winter on the economy. The dangers of the intensifying conflict between Russia and the Ukraine also weighed on the markets.

By contrast, there were fewer worries in the second quarter.

As the weather improved, there was more encouraging news about hiring and manufacturing. Stocks were also propelled higher by a turnaround in some of the riskier parts of the market. Internet, biotechnology and small-company stocks all rebounded after dragging the market lower in March.

Company earnings, already at record levels, continued to grind higher. Even an escalating conflict in Iraq that pushed up oil prices in June wasn't enough to stop stocks from rising.

"I'm not seeing anything that's going to derail the overall upward climb of the market," said Karyn Cavanaugh, senior market strategist with Voya Investment Management. "The economic backdrop is getting better, so companies will make even more money."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 0.73 points on Monday, less than 0.1 percent, to 1,960.23, just two points from its record close of 1,962.87 set June 20. The index rose 4.7 percent in the quarter and closed at an all-time high on 16 occasions during in the period.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 25.24 points, or 0.2 percent, to 16,826.60 and posted a gain of 2.4 percent in the quarter. The Nasdaq composite rose 10.25 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,408.18, rising 5 percent in the quarter.

Stocks flickered between small gains and losses on Monday, keeping major indexes close to record levels, as investors assessed the latest data on housing.

Home builders rose following news that the number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes shot up in May. The National Association of Realtors said its seasonally adjusted pending home sales index rose 6.1 percent to 103.9 last month. It was the sharpest month-over-month gain since April 2010.

Gains for home builders were led by D.R. Horton, which rose 75 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $24.58.

Utility stocks also did well. The sector rose 0.8 percent, making it the biggest gainer of the 10 industry sectors that make up the S&P 500 industry.

The group has climbed 16.4 percent this year as bond yields have fallen, forcing investors to look elsewhere for income. Power company stocks are regarded as a steady investment and they also pay rich dividends.

General Motor was among the day's losers.

Trading in the automaker's stock was briefly suspended in the afternoon after the company announced that it was recalling at least 7.6 million more vehicles dating back to 1997 to fix faulty ignition switches.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for investors in the second quarter was a strong rally in government bonds.

At the start of the year, most analysts and investors had expected bond yields to rise as the Federal Reserve gradually cut back on its economic stimulus and wound down its bond-buying program and the economy improved.

Instead, the opposite has happened. Bonds have rallied, pushing yields lower. Bonds have gained as inflation stayed low and as some investors remained skeptical about the long-term strength of the economy.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which falls as bond prices rise, dropped to 2.52 percent on Monday from 2.54 percent on Friday. It had started the year at 3 percent.

"I'm surprised by the behavior of the bond market over the last six months," said Joe Hieder, a regional managing principal at Rehmann Financial, a wealth adviser. "But with continued low interest rates, it is a benefit to everyone potentially except the retirees that are living on fixed income."

Low interest rates should encourage companies to borrow and invest and help support the housing market.

Among other individual stocks making big moves on Monday:

”” Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries announced plans to buy Mexico's Consorcio Comex for $2.3 billion. The maker of paints wants to bolster its business in Mexico and Central America. PPG Industries rose $6.10, or 3 percent, to $210.15.

”” MannKind, a bio pharmaceutical company, jumped 96 cents, or 9.6 percent, to $10.96 after the Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Afrezza, a diabetes medication to help patients control their blood sugar levels during meals.

”” Allergan fell after the company updated investors on the status of some of the key drugs that it is developing. The drug maker said the FDA had raised issues about a drug that is being developed as treatment of migraines in adults. The stock dropped $4.73, or 2.7 percent, to $169.20.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 129.47 points or ▲ 0.77% on Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,956.07 ▲ 129.47 ▲ 0.77%
Nasdaq____ 4,458.65 ▲ 50.47 ▲ 1.14%
S&P_500___ 1,973.32 ▲ 13.09 ▲ 0.67%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.39 ▲ 0.06 ▲ 1.71%

NYSE Volume 3,146,552,250
Nasdaq Volume 1,926,902,620

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,802.92 ▲ 58.98 ▲ 0.87%
DAX_____ 9,902.41 ▲ 69.34 ▲ 0.71%
CAC_40__ 4,461.12 ▲ 38.28 ▲ 0.87%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,366.50 ▼ -15.50 ▼ -0.29%
Shanghai_Comp 2,050.38 ▲ 2.05 ▲ 0.10%
Taiwan_Weight 9,441.92 ▲ 48.85 ▲ 0.52%
Nikkei_225___ 15,326.20 ▲ 164.10 ▲ 1.08%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,190.72 ▼ -30.80 ▼ -0.13%
Strait_Times.__ 3,242.64 ▼ -13.03 ▼ -0.40%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,146.26 ▲ 4.79 ▲ 0.09%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-rise-surveys-show-stronger-142019710.html

Stocks rise as surveys show stronger manufacturing

Stocks climb to record levels as manufacturing expands in the US and China; Dow nears 17,000
Associated Press
By Steve Rothwell, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- A better outlook for global manufacturing pushed the stock market to an all-time high on Tuesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed within two points of 17,000 for the first time after separate surveys showed that manufacturing expanded in China and the U.S., the world's two biggest economies. In China, manufacturing grew in June for the first time in six months and in the U.S. the sector notched its 13th straight month of growth.

General Motors rose the most in almost a month. The automaker reported that its U.S. sales increased 1 percent in June despite a record-setting string of safety recalls. Netflix jumped after analysts at Goldman Sachs raised their outlook on the stock, predicting the company will benefit from its international expansion.

"The economic news, by and large, isn't bad here," said Phil Orlando, chief equity strategist at Federated Investors. "Maybe investors are starting to think that this thing is going to grind higher."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 13.09 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,973.32. The Dow gained 129.47 points, or 0.8 percent, to 16,956.07. The index climbed as high as 16,998.70 in early afternoon trading before falling back slightly. Both indexes closed at all-time highs.

The Nasdaq composite rose 50.47, or 1.1 percent, to 4,458.65.

Stocks climbed from the open after HSBC said its Chinese purchasing managers index rose to 50.7 in June from 49.4 a month earlier. Numbers above 50 signal growth. The market added to its gains after another survey showed that U.S. manufacturing kept growing.

The gains were broad. Nine of the 10 industry sectors that make up the S&P 500 rose. Utilities were the only sector to fall.

Health care stocks had the biggest advance with gains led by Regeneron. The company rose $19.53, or 7 percent, to $301.94 after French drugmaker Sanofi said in a regulatory filing that it had raised its stake in Regeneron.

The S&P 500 index has now gained 6.8 percent this year, after jumping almost 30 percent in 2013. While stocks are no longer cheap, they are still a compelling investment compared with bonds or cash because interest rates are close to zero, said Joe Tanious, a global market strategist at JPMorgan Funds.

"In the long run market prices are dictated by the fundamentals," said Tanious. "And the underlying fundamentals suggest that markets can move higher from here."

Government bonds prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note climbed to 2.56 percent from 2.53 percent late Monday. Bond prices have risen this year, pushing interest rates lower, even as the Federal Reserve has reduced its economic stimulus and the economy has improved.

Among other stocks making big moves:

”” Netflix jumped $32.50, or 7.4 percent, to $473.10 after analysts at Goldman Sachs raised their outlook for the streaming video company. Goldman estimates that Netflix's potential audience of subscribers will double over the next three years as the company expands internationally.

”” Twitter rose $1.08, or 2.6 percent, to $42.05 after analysts at Stern Agee raised their estimates for the company's earnings for next year and said that the social media company should benefit from increased use during the World Cup. The company also said today that it was hiring Anthony Noto, a Goldman Sachs executive, as its new chief financial officer.

”” GM gained $1.29, or 3.6 percent, to $37.59 after reporting its June sales figures. Its sales gains were led by the Buick Encore small SUV, which gained 82 percent.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 20.17 points or ▲ 0.12% on Wednesday, 2 July 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,976.24 ▲ 20.17 ▲ 0.12%
Nasdaq____ 4,457.73 ▼ -0.92 ▼ -0.02%
S&P_500___ 1,974.62 ▲ 1.30 ▲ 0.07%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.47 ▲ 0.07 ▲ 2.09%

NYSE Volume 2,832,677,500
Nasdaq Volume 1,585,262,120

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,816.37 ▲ 13.45 ▲ 0.20%
DAX_____ 9,911.27 ▲ 8.86 ▲ 0.09%
CAC_40__ 4,444.72 ▼ -16.40 ▼ -0.37%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,441.70 ▲ 75.20 ▲ 1.40%
Shanghai_Comp 2,059.42 ▲ 9.04 ▲ 0.44%
Taiwan_Weight 9,484.96 ▲ 43.04 ▲ 0.46%
Nikkei_225___ 15,369.97 ▲ 43.77 ▲ 0.29%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,549.62 ▲ 358.90 ▲ 1.55%
Strait_Times.__ 3,263.91 ▲ 21.27 ▲ 0.66%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,149.38 ▲ 3.12 ▲ 0.06%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-close-time-highs-hiring-203058216.html

Stocks close at all-time highs as hiring surges

Stocks close at record after business hiring surges in June; Constellation gains on earnings
Associated Press
By Steve Rothwell, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks closed at their latest all-time highs Wednesday following news that business hiring surged in June, adding to evidence that the U.S. economy is picking up momentum.

ADP, a payroll processer, said businesses added 281,000 jobs last month, up from 179,000 in the previous month. The figure suggests the government's monthly jobs report, due out Thursday, could also show a significant gain from May.

The stock market climbed back to record levels a day earlier after separate reports showed that manufacturing expanded in China and the U.S., the world's two largest economies.

"We're in the middle of what's been an extended recovery, but there's still a lot of room to go," said Ed Hyland, a global investment specialist at a JPMorgan Private Bank. "We believe that for the stock market as well."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 1.30 points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,974.62. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 20.17 points, or 0.1 percent, to 16,976.24. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow are at all-time highs. The Nasdaq composite fell one point, less than 0.1 percent, to 4,457.73.

Constellation Brands, which makes Corona and Negra Modelo beer, was one of the day's biggest gainers. The stock jumped $2.07, or 2.3 percent, to $90.45 after the company said its fiscal first-quarter net income soared. .

Delta Air Lines was the day's biggest decliner. The stock dropped $2.07, or 5.1 percent, to $38.24 after the company said that growth in a key revenue figure slowed in June. Delta said revenue per passenger fell on international routes because of a dip in business travel to Latin America during the World Cup soccer tournament and more passenger-carrying capacity among all airlines. Delta's stock is still up 38 percent this year.

Government bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.62 percent from 2.57 percent on Tuesday. The yield on the note, which rises as prices fall, has climbed from 2.45 percent at the end of May as signs have emerged that the economy is strengthening.

The impact of rising bond yields was also felt in the stock market.

Utilities fell the most of the 10 sectors that make up the S&P 500, declining almost 2 percent. Investors had bought utility stocks at the start of the year as bond yields dropped because they pay rich dividends.

Should the economy continue to improve and bond yields rise, investors will likely start to take money from the bond market and instead invest in stocks, said Jeff Knight, head of global asset allocation at Columbia Management, an asset manager. Stocks that should benefit most from an improving economy, such as industrials, should do well.

"Those sectors that tend to be thought of in yield and income terms, like utilities or telecoms, would be laggards," said Knight.

Among other stocks making big moves on Wednesday:

”” Rackspace Hosting, a provider of data-storage and other services, jumped $2.13, or 6.3 percent, to $35.88 on reports that the company wants to go private, allowing it to focus on its business without have to worry about public accountability.

”” Monsanto rose $2.23, or 1.8 percent, to $126.53 after the company said late Tuesday that it had entered into an "accelerated share repurchase" agreement with JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs. Under the terms of the agreement the company will buy $6 billion of its own stock.

”” Bank of America rose 25 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $15.85 after analysts at Deutsche Bank raised their rating on the stock, saying that many of the potential negatives have already been identified and priced in. Bond trading should pick up after a slump and more merger activity should also boost fees, the analysts said.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

U.S. markets will be closed Friday for the Fourth of July holiday. U.S. stock trading will reopen Monday.

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 92.02 points or ▲ 0.54% on Thursday, 3 July 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 17,068.26 ▲ 92.02 ▲ 0.54%
Nasdaq____ 4,485.93 ▲ 28.19 ▲ 0.63%
S&P_500___ 1,985.44 ▲ 10.82 ▲ 0.55%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.48 ▲ 0.02 ▲ 0.49%

NYSE Volume 1,994,949,880
Nasdaq Volume 993,784,190

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,865.21 ▲ 48.84 ▲ 0.72%
DAX_____ 10,029.43 ▲ 118.16 ▲ 1.19%
CAC_40__ 4,489.88 ▲ 45.16 ▲ 1.02%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,479.50 ▲ 37.80 ▲ 0.69%
Shanghai_Comp 2,063.23 ▲ 3.81 ▲ 0.19%
Taiwan_Weight 9,526.23 ▲ 41.27 ▲ 0.44%
Nikkei_225___ 15,348.29 ▼ -21.68 ▼ -0.14%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,531.44 ▼ -18.18 ▼ -0.08%
Strait_Times.__ 3,273.15 ▲ 9.24 ▲ 0.28%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,167.39 ▲ 18.01 ▲ 0.35%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dow-t...;_ylg=X3oDMTBhYWM1a2sxBGxhbmcDZW4tVVM-;_ylv=3

Dow tops 17,000 after strong jobs report

Dow tops 17,000 for first time after government says hiring picked up speed last month
Associated Press
By Ken Sweet, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Dow Jones industrial average topped 17,000 for the first time Thursday, the index's first big 1,000-point milestone this year, following news that hiring in the U.S. accelerated last month.

The market rose from the start of trading after the government reported that U.S. employers hired more employees than investors and economists expected. Trading was extremely light, though, and the market closed early ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

Thursday's gains add to what has been a strong month-and-a-half for Wall Street. Along with the Dow closing above a record 17,000, the Standard & Poor's 500 index is approaching its own milestone of 2,000. The indexes have risen as a stream of good news on jobs and manufacturing bolsters investor confidence.

"Right now the story is onward and upward," said Neil Massa, senior trader at John Hancock Asset Management.

The Dow rose 92.02 points, or 0.5 percent, to finish at 17,068.26, an all-time high. The S&P 500 closed up 10.82 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,985.44 and the Nasdaq composite gained 28.19 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4,485.93.

Investors were encouraged by the latest jobs report from the Department of Labor, which showed U.S. employers added 288,000 workers to their payrolls in June, far more than forecast. The unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent. The government also said employers hired more people in previous months than reported earlier: 217,000 in May and 304,000 in April. The U.S. economy is now creating around 231,000 jobs each month in 2014, compared to roughly 194,000 a month last year.

"It topped even some of the most optimistic of forecasts," Massa said.

The jobs report is the latest piece of data to show the U.S. economy continues to improve steadily. On Wednesday, the payroll processor ADP said private businesses added 281,000 jobs in June, up from 179,000 in May. Also this week, the Institute for Supply Management said the U.S. manufacturing expanded for the 13th consecutive month.

While the Dow's passing of 17,000 is a notable milestone, most Wall Street professionals don't focus on it. The vast majority of mutual funds and investors use the broader S&P 500 index as their benchmark for how they are performing. In fact, the Dow has lagged behind the rest of the stock market this year. The index is up 3 percent in 2014 compared with the S&P 500's rise of 7.4 percent.

"That said, investors should be feeling good about Dow 17,000," Scott Wren, a senior equity strategist with Wells Fargo Advisors, wrote in a note to investors. "The stock market has more than recovered from levels seen during the financial crisis more than five years ago. Slow and steady can win the race; and it has."

The Dow's latest milestone is another reminder of its bull market run. The index has climbed more than 10,500 points since its Great Recession low of 6,547.05 on March 9, 2009.

Among individual stocks, the pet supply chain PetSmart rose the most in the S&P 500 on Thursday. PetSmart gained $7.48, or 13 percent, to $67.28 after the activist investor firm Jana Partners disclosed a 9.9 percent stake in the company.

Investors sold bonds after the strong jobs report. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.64 percent from 2.63 percent late Wednesday. Bond yields rise when prices fall.

Thursday was the slowest trading day of the year for stocks. Roughly 1.9 billion shares changed hands on the New York Stock Exchange.

U.S. markets will be closed Friday for the Fourth of July holiday. U.S. stock trading will reopen Monday.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

U.S. stock trading will reopen Monday

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 92.02 points or ▲ 0.54% on Thursday, 3 July 2014 - CLOSED JULY 4 FOR the Fourth of July holiday.
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 17,068.26 ▲ 92.02 ▲ 0.54% CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY
Nasdaq____ 4,485.93 ▲ 28.19 ▲ 0.63% CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY
S&P_500___ 1,985.44 ▲ 10.82 ▲ 0.55% CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.48 ▲ 0.02 ▲ 0.49% CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY

NYSE Volume 1,994,949,880
Nasdaq Volume 993,784,190

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,866.05 ▲ 0.84 ▲ 0.01%
DAX_____ 10,009.08 ▼ -20.35 ▼ -0.20%
CAC_40__ 4,468.98 ▼ -20.90 ▼ -0.47%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,511.80 ▲ 32.30 ▲ 0.59%
Shanghai_Comp 2,059.37 ▼ -3.85 ▼ -0.19%
Taiwan_Weight 9,510.05 ▼ -16.18 ▼ -0.17%
Nikkei_225___ 15,437.13 ▲ 88.84 ▲ 0.58%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,546.36 ▲ 14.92 ▲ 0.06%
Strait_Times.__ 3,272.25 ▼ -0.90 ▼ -0.03%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,188.90 ▲ 21.51 ▲ 0.42%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/markets-lackluster-us-independence-day-131250259.html

Markets lackluster on US Independence Day

Following earlier gains in Asia, European markets flat on US Independence Day
Associated Press
By The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) -- Following gains on Friday in Asia, where investors cheered a strong U.S. jobs report from the previous day, markets in Europe were lackluster as Wall Street remained closed for the Fourth of July holiday.

On Thursday, markets were buoyed by news that the U.S. economy generated a greater than expected 288,000 jobs in June. Though that increase in itself prompted some analysts to think the Federal Reserve may start raising interest rates sooner than anticipated, many noted that subdued wages may hold the central bank's hand for a while longer — a potentially positive backdrop for stock markets.

Trading volumes were low on Friday, however, due to the U.S. holiday. Many investors in France and Germany likely also kept to the sidelines to turn their attention to the World Cup match between their countries later in the afternoon.

"America's celebration of its independence brings with it the usual quiet day in London, while French and German traders will have been forgiven for long since closing their books and choosing a comfortable spot for a tense start to the weekend," said Will Hedden of IG.

Following gains around the world Thursday following the data that saw the Dow Jones index break 17,000 for the first time, Asian shares got a lift Friday.

Among the main indexes, the Nikkei 225 average, the benchmark for the Tokyo Stock Exchange, gained 0.6 percent to finish at 15,437.13 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.1 percent to 23,546.36.

In Europe, the mood was flatter with the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares closing flat at 6,866.05 and Germany's DAX shedding 0.2 percent to 10,009.08. The CAC-40 in France fell 0.5 percent to 4,468.98.

The market tone was equally subdued elsewhere with the euro 0.1 percent lower at $1.3599 and the dollar 0.1 percent down at 102.07 yen.

8059

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -44.05 points or ▼ -0.26% on Monday, 7 July 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 17,024.21 ▼ -44.05 ▼ -0.26%
Nasdaq____ 4,451.53 ▼ -34.40 ▼ -0.77%
S&P_500___ 1,977.65 ▼ -7.79 ▼ -0.39%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.44 ▼ -0.04 ▼ -1.23%

NYSE Volume 2,656,650,750
Nasdaq Volume 1,647,490,880

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,823.51 ▼ -42.54 ▼ -0.62%
DAX_____ 9,906.07 ▼ -103.01 ▼ -1.03%
CAC_40__ 4,405.76 ▼ -63.22 ▼ -1.41%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,506.30 ▼ -5.50 ▼ -0.10%
Shanghai_Comp 2,059.93 ▲ 0.55 ▲ 0.03%
Taiwan_Weight 9,520.20 ▲ 10.15 ▲ 0.11%
Nikkei_225___ 15,379.44 ▼ -57.69 ▼ -0.37%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,540.92 ▼ -5.44 ▼ -0.02%
Strait_Times.__ 3,291.57 ▲ 19.32 ▲ 0.59%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,186.36 ▼ -2.54 ▼ -0.05%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-slip-pulling-dow-back-160607730.html

Stocks slip, pulling Dow back near 17,000

Stocks pull back, bringing the Dow Jones industrial average back near 17,000; Airlines fall
Associated Press
By Ken Sweet, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- After pushing stocks to records last week, investors turned cautious on Monday ahead of a batch of corporate earnings reports.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended almost 50 points lower after closing above 17,000 for the first time last week. Investors moved money into stocks traditionally thought of as safer than the broader market: utilities, telecommunication companies and consumer staples such as soft drinks and detergent.

Stocks that depend the most on a growing economy were among the biggest decliners, including small companies, consumer discretionary names, materials and industrial stocks.

"All eyes have turned to earnings," said Joe Tanious, global market strategist with J.P. Morgan Funds.

There's a lot riding on this quarter's earnings season. Investors largely believe the weather had an unusually large impact on the U.S. economy in the first three months of year, and that economic activity rebounded in the second three months of this year. Many companies blamed the weather for their disappointing first quarter results.

Secondly, stocks are trading at all-time highs and investors will need Corporate America to deliver on profits in order to justify these record-high prices.

"As we've emphasized in recent weeks, stocks are not cheap, but we believe they can climb modestly higher in the second half (of the year) amid continued economic improvement," said Russ Koesterich, global chief investment strategist at BlackRock, in a note to investors.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 44.05 points, or 0.3 percent, to 17,024.21. The Standard & Poor's 500 index lost 7.79 points, or 0.4 percent, to 1,977.65 and the Nasdaq composite fell 34.40 points, or 0.8 percent, to 4,451.53.

The Dow reached a record and a new 1,000-point milestone last Thursday by closing above 17,000 for the first time. That followed a strong U.S. jobs report. U.S. markets were closed Friday for the Independence Day holiday.

The Russell 2000 index, which is made up primarily of small-company stocks, fell more than the rest of the market. The index lost 1.7 percent, versus the 0.4 percent decline in the S&P 500, which is made up of large companies.

Another sign that investors were hesitant to place big bets ahead of corporate earnings reports could be seen in Monday's low trading volume. Roughly 2.6 billion shares traded hands on the New York Stock Exchange, well below the 3.2 billion shares that moves on an average trading day.

Aluminum mining giant Alcoa reports its latest results on Tuesday and Wells Fargo, the No. 1 U.S. mortgage lender, reports on Friday. Investors are expecting second quarter profits to be up 4.9 percent from a year ago, according to FactSet.

"I think we're going to exceed expectations," Tanious said. "Companies were able to post 6 percent earnings growth in the first quarter, even with the U.S. economy contracting. Now that we've seen a rebound in economic activity, I think we're looking at a pretty good earnings season."

Major airlines stocks fell after the Transportation Security Administration announced new security measures that would impact international flights into the United States. The TSA said that all electronic devices would need to have power in order to travel, including tablet computers and cell phones, which could impact the number of passengers able to travel.

United Continental fell $1.26, or 3 percent, to $38.62, Delta fell $1.70, or 4.5 percent, to $36.90 and American Airlines fell $1.52, or 4 percent, to $40.10. Domestic U.S. airlines fell as well, but the declines were tamer. JetBlue fell 27 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $10.62 and Southwest fell 54 cents, or 2 percent, to $27.17.

Investors also tried to reduce their exposure to risk by buying U.S. government bonds. The yield on the U.S. 10-year note fell to 2.62 percent from 2.64 percent late Thursday.

In other company news:

”” Archer Daniels Midland rose 73 cents, or 2 percent, to $46.50 after the company announced it was buying Swiss food flavorings company Wild Flavors for $3 billion in cash. Wild Flavors makes flavors and oils that are used in processed foods.

”” BioDelivery Sciences International was up 9 percent after the drug developer said its treatment for severe pain fared better than a placebo in another late-stage study. The company said the trial triggered another $10 million payment from Endo International Plc, which has a licensing agreement with BioDelivery. BioDelivery's stock rose $1.07 to $13.06.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -117.59 points or ▼ -0.69% on Tuesday, 8 July 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,906.62 ▼ -117.59 ▼ -0.69%
Nasdaq____ 4,391.46 ▼ -60.07 ▼ -1.35%
S&P_500___ 1,963.71 ▼ -13.94 ▼ -0.70%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.38 ▼ -0.06 ▼ -1.74%

NYSE Volume 3,229,765,500
Nasdaq Volume 2,155,883,750

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,738.45 ▼ -85.06 ▼ -1.25%
DAX_____ 9,772.67 ▼ -133.40 ▼ -1.35%
CAC_40__ 4,342.53 ▼ -63.23 ▼ -1.44%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,498.50 ▼ -7.80 ▼ -0.14%
Shanghai_Comp 2,064.02 ▲ 4.09 ▲ 0.20%
Taiwan_Weight 9,530.98 ▲ 10.78 ▲ 0.11%
Nikkei_225___ 15,314.41 ▼ -65.03 ▼ -0.42%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,541.38 ▲ 0.46 ▲ 0.00%
Strait_Times.__ 3,283.34 ▼ -8.23 ▼ -0.25%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,166.08 ▼ -20.28 ▼ -0.39%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stocks-fall-second-day-nasdaq-162955671.html

Stocks fall for a second day; Nasdaq slumps

US stocks fall for a second day ahead of quarterly earnings results; Social media names slump
Associated Press
By Bernard Condon, AP Business News

NEW YORK (AP) -- Investors unloaded stocks for a second straight day ahead of a slew of corporate earnings that will help them determine whether a recent run-up in the market is justified.

The selling Tuesday follows record closes last week. The Dow Jones industrial average ended below 17,000, a level it topped Thursday for the first time in its 118-year history.

Internet companies bore the brunt of the declines. Among the biggest losers were Twitter and Pandora Media, a music streaming service, down 7 percent each. Facebook and Netflix each dropped more than 3 percent. The Nasdaq composite fell 1.4 percent, its biggest slide in two months.

Investors also dumped small-company stocks, which tend to be riskier investments. The Russell 2000 fell 1.2 percent.

The winners of the day were utilities, considered a safe choice in uncertain times and attractive because of their steady dividends. That sector rose 0.6 percent, the only one of the 10 in the Standard and Poor's 500 index that finished higher.

The selling this week is not surprising given the S&P 500's near tripling in price since its March 2009 low, said Randy Frederick, managing director of trading and derivatives at the Schwab Center for Financial Research. He also noted that the bull market has lasted more than five years, the fourth longest since World War II.

"The longer it gets out of line with historical patterns," he said, "the closer we get to fizzling out."

As companies begin reporting second-quarter results this week, investors will be looking for signs that the strengthening U.S. economy has translated into a surge in profits. Expectations are for a 6.6 percent gain over the year earlier, double the increase in the first quarter, according to S&P Capital IQ, a research firm.

On Tuesday, the Dow index fell 117.59 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 16,906.62. The Nasdaq fell 60.07 points to 4,391.46. The S&P 500 lost 13.94 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,963.71.

Among S&P 500 sectors, telecommunications companies fell the most, 1.5 percent.

Steven Ricchiuto, senior economist at Mizuho Securities, thinks signs that the global economy is slowing have added to investor jitters. On Tuesday, Germany reported that exports fell more than expected in May and the United Kingdom said manufacturing output dropped 1.3 percent that month.

"The global economy is taking a hit today," Ricchiuto said. "Global growth is decelerating. It may actually be stalling."

Germany's DAX stock index fell 1.3 percent on Tuesday and Britain's FTSE 100 dropped 1.2 percent.

The U.S. earnings reporting season got started after the closing bell Tuesday when aluminum maker Alcoa reported results that were better than investors expected. Wells Fargo, the No. 1 home mortgage lender in the U.S., reports on Friday.

Companies were hit hard in the first quarter by cold winter weather. But financial analysts expect earnings growth to accelerate for the rest of the year, topping 11 percent in the fourth quarter.

Among stocks making big moves Tuesday, drugmaker AbbVie fell $1.71, or 3 percent, to $55.69 following news that it raised its offer to buy another drug company, Shire. The target, known for its rare-disease drugs, has rejected three AbbVie offers.

U.S. government bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.56 percent from 2.61 percent late Monday.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed HIGHER ▲ 78.99 points or ▲ 0.47% on Wednesday, 9 July 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,985.61 ▲ 78.99 ▲ 0.47%
Nasdaq____ 4,419.03 ▲ 27.57 ▲ 0.63%
S&P_500___ 1,972.83 ▲ 9.12 ▲ 0.46%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.36 ▼ -0.02 ▼ -0.59%

NYSE Volume 2,834,175,000
Nasdaq Volume 1,691,221,120

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,718.04 ▼ -20.41 ▼ -0.30%
DAX_____ 9,808.20 ▲ 35.53 ▲ 0.36%
CAC_40__ 4,359.84 ▲ 17.31 ▲ 0.40%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,442.20 ▼ -56.30 ▼ -1.02%
Shanghai_Comp 2,038.61 ▼ -25.41 ▼ -1.23%
Taiwan_Weight 9,489.98 ▼ -41.00 ▼ -0.43%
Nikkei_225___ 15,302.65 ▼ -11.76 ▼ -0.08%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,176.07 ▼ -365.31 ▼ -1.55%
Strait_Times.__ 3,275.46 ▼ -7.88 ▼ -0.24%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,122.74 ▼ -43.33 ▼ -0.84%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/alcoa-helps-lift-market-2-173826995.html

Alcoa helps lift market after 2 days of declines

Stocks move higher after 2 days of losses, helped by results out of Alcoa
Associated Press
By Ken Sweet, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Corporate earnings season got off to a positive start Wednesday, helping lift the stock market after two days of declines.

The market opened higher and remained modestly higher throughout the day. Stocks climbed further after the Federal Reserve released minutes from its latest policy meeting in June.

The biggest gainer in the Standard & Poor's 500 index was Alcoa. The aluminum giant's earnings, which investors consider to be the official start of the quarterly corporate earnings season, came in well above Wall Street's expectations. Alcoa earned $138 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with analysts' estimates of 12 cents a share, according to FactSet. Alcoa rose 84 cents, or 6 percent, to $15.69.

As companies begin reporting their second-quarter results, investors will be looking for signs that the strengthening U.S. economy has translated into higher sales and profits. Analysts expect earnings increased 6.6 percent in the three months through June compared with the previous year, according to S&P Capital IQ, a research firm.

Investors argue that with stocks trading near all-time highs, it's now up to companies to show whether or not these record high prices can be justified.

"Stocks are not cheap, and we need to be assured that these companies' growth is going to continue," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist with Prudential Financial.

The next big name to report will be the major U.S. bank Wells Fargo, which reports Friday. The bank is one of the country's biggest mortgage lenders, and investors will be looking for Wells' outlook on the housing market.

"I'm looking for a good, but not a great, earnings season," said Michael Fredericks, portfolio manager of the Multi-Asset Income Fund at BlackRock. "We really need to see the guidance from companies, if management teams are as upbeat as the market."

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 78.99 points, or 0.5 percent, to 16,985.61. The S&P 500 index rose 9.12 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,972.83 and the Nasdaq composite rose 27.57 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4,419.03.

The market kept up its positive momentum following the latest report from the Federal Reserve.

Policymakers at the Fed have come up with a rough timetable for when the central bank's bond-buying program will wind down, according to minutes from the bank's most recent meeting. They generally agreed that the program will end in October, if the economy continues to improve at this pace, with a $15 billion reduction in monthly bond purchases.

The Fed is currently buying $45 billion a month in bonds and has been cutting back by $10 billion a month at each meeting since December. The program is designed to keep interest rates low to stimulate borrowing and economic activity.

The bond market turned higher after the Fed's announcement. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell to 2.55 percent from 2.56 percent Tuesday, a reversal from earlier in the day, when yields were 2.58 percent. Bond yields fall when prices rise.

In individual company news:

”” American Airlines rose $1.73, or 4.3 percent, to $41.98. The world's largest airline raised its sales forecast for the second quarter, typically the busiest time of year. The news helped lift other airline stocks, including Delta, which rose 1.5 percent. Airline stocks had taken a beating earlier this week.

”” The Container Store, which went public less than a year ago, plunged $2.27, or 8 percent, to $24.80. CEO William Tindell warned that the company was in a "retail funk" and that the sluggish sales of the winter seemed to be lingering into the spring and summer. The Container Store went public at $18 a share in November and its shares doubled in price on the day of its debut to $36.20.

 

[bigdog]

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com

The NYSE DOW closed LOWER ▼ -70.54 points or ▼ -0.42% on Thursday, 10 July 2014
Symbol …........Last …......Change.......
Dow_Jones 16,915.07 ▼ -70.54 ▼ -0.42%
Nasdaq____ 4,396.20 ▼ -22.83 ▼ -0.52%
S&P_500___ 1,964.68 ▼ -8.15 ▼ -0.41%
30_Yr_Bond____ 3.36 ▲ 0.00 ▲ 0.12%

NYSE Volume 3,148,611,250
Nasdaq Volume 1,614,694,000

Europe
Symbol... .....Last ….....Change.......
FTSE_100 6,672.37 ▼ -45.67 ▼ -0.68%
DAX_____ 9,659.13 ▼ -149.07 ▼ -1.52%
CAC_40__ 4,301.26 ▼ -58.58 ▼ -1.34%

Asia Pacific
Symbol...... ….......Last .....Change…......
ASX_All_Ord___ 5,454.30 ▲ 12.10 ▲ 0.22%
Shanghai_Comp 2,038.34 ▼ -0.27 ▼ -0.01%
Taiwan_Weight 9,565.12 ▲ 75.14 ▲ 0.79%
Nikkei_225___ 15,216.47 ▼ -86.18 ▼ -0.56%
Hang_Seng.__ 23,238.99 ▲ 62.92 ▲ 0.27%
Strait_Times.__ 3,269.50 ▼ -5.96 ▼ -0.18%
NZX_50_Index_ 5,128.01 ▲ 5.27 ▲ 0.10%

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-stocks-slide-over-european-204609931.html

US stocks slide over European banking worries

Portugal bank worries rattle Wall Street; investors move into bonds, gold
Associated Press
By Ken Sweet, AP Markets Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks fell Thursday as worries about the soundness of a European bank spooked U.S. investors, prompting them to sell off stocks and snap up less risky assets like gold and governments bonds.

Fears emerged overnight about the financial stability of Espirito Santo International, a holding company that is the largest shareholder in a group of firms, including the parent of Portugal's largest bank, Banco Espirito Santo.

Espirito Santo International reportedly missed a debt payment this week and was cited for accounting irregularities ”” issues that sparked Europe's debt crisis four years ago. The bank troubles had traders and investors talking about another European debt crisis.

Thursday's stock sell-off started in Europe, and spread to the U.S, where the Dow Jones industrial average plunged as much as 180 points in the first half hour of trading.

But anxiety in the U.S. quickly subsided and the market steadily clawed back for the rest of the day. While stocks never fully bounced back, the decline in the Dow was roughly half of what it was at the beginning of Thursday's session.

"Today's news did reignite some of those contagion fears," said Ryan Larson, head of equity trading for RBC Global Asset Management.

Portugal is one of the smaller eurozone economies and, like Greece and Ireland, needed an international rescue in 2011 during the continent's debt crisis. A three-year economic recovery program was supposed to straighten out its finances.

That debt crisis in Europe was largely responsible for the U.S. stock market's last decline of 10 percent or more, known as a "correction" in Wall Street parlance. Investors back then worried that the crisis would spread to the U.S., which was starting to recover from its own financial trauma.

On Thursday, the Dow ended down 70.54 points, or 0.4 percent, to 16,915.07. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 8.15 points, or 0.4 percent, to 1,964.88 and the Nasdaq composite fell 22.83 points, or 0.5 percent, to 4,396.20.

Traders and market strategists pointed to a couple of reasons why stocks didn't continue falling in the U.S.

First, it has been a relatively quiet week for Wall Street, with little economic data and only a couple companies reporting their quarterly results, so any negative news was likely to "be met with overreaction," Larson said.

"After participants had time to step back and assess, many realized the U.S. is in a relatively good spot compared with (Europe)," he said.

Second, even with the U.S. market trading near all-time highs, many investors are sitting on large amounts of cash that haven't been put into the market. Any noticeable fall in stock prices would likely be met by investors willing to step in.

"Generally, people are willing to put money into this market when the opportunity presents itself," said Erik Davidson, deputy chief investment officer of Wells Fargo Private Bank, which manages $170 billion in assets.

Investors did seek out some protection Thursday. Bond prices and gold rose as investors moved money into the traditional havens. The yield on the U.S. 10-year note fell to 2.54 percent from 2.55 percent late Wednesday. Gold rose $12, or 1 percent, to $1,336.30 an ounce.

In stocks, investors moved money into utility and telecommunication stocks, also common areas to invest when uncertainty emerges. Utility and telecom companies typically pay a higher-than-average dividend, which makes them attractive when investors don't expect stock prices to go higher.

The Dow Jones utility index, a collection of 15 utility companies, rose 0.6 percent ”” the only major index to rise Thursday. Telecommunication stocks rose an average of 0.8 percent.