IBD_Investing

Stock Indexes Showing Consistently Bad Action

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:11:00 GMT
Stocks racked up a complete week of daily losses, the first time that has happened since the holiday-shortened Thanksgiving week. The Nasdaq and the IBD 50 each dropped 1.2% Friday, while the S&P 500 and the NYSE composite each shaved 0.7%.Volume rose sharply across the board, thanks partly to options expirations. The NYSE composite is now slightly down for 2012. The Nasdaq, which was up 20% in late March, is up just 7% for the year. The week

Sector Leaders’ List Shrinks After Many Fall Again

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT
The Sector Leaders’ list shrank again on Friday after many top stocks again suffered widespread losses, with many falling in high volume. The list shrank for a third day, to 15, after Apple (AAPL) and Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) dropped out, replaced by Chinese game site NetEase (NTES). The list has had as many as 19 members in recent weeks, but even the strongest stocks are having trouble holding up amid the market’s correction. About half of the

How To Reduce Taxes On Your Social Security Benefits

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:49:00 GMT
Social Security benefits — yours, your parents or an elderly relative’s, let’s say — can be subject to income tax. But you can take steps to minimize or avoid the hit, which can save thousands of dollars. The key is to trim your non-Social Security income — often by turning vulnerable categories of income into safe ones. Suppose a hypothetical Eve Hill is single, receiving Social Security. Taxation of her benefits depends on what the IRS calls her

Medical Stocks Forming Bases Amid Market Sell-Off

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:43:00 GMT
Medical stocks have held up relatively well during the current correction, with many forming bases at a time when other leaders are breaking down. The medical sector contributed seven stocks to this week’s IBD 50, including three in the top 15. It’s not a good idea to buy stocks during a correction, but these are worth watching in preparation for a new market uptrend. SXC Health Solutions (SXCI), which provides benefit management services for

New Highs Analysis: Wal-Mart Touches Multiyear Peak

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:38:00 GMT
Wal-Mart (WMT) scored a place on the new highs list Friday, as the retail king touched a multiyear high of 62.63. That actually wasn’t a completely brand-new peak, but rather the stock matched a prior high. Wal-Mart previously climbed to the 62.63 level on Feb. 1. Since Feb. 1, the world’s biggest retailer has been consolidating in the vicinity of its 10-week moving average. You could view the chart pattern as a flat base with a buy point at

SXC On Buyout Rampage

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
Companies can grow organically or through acquisitions. SXC Health Solutions (SXCI) is taking the latter approach. The provider of pharmacy benefit management and IT services has been on a buyout binge in recent years. It recently announced its fifth acquisition since December 2010. Last month SXC agreed to buy rival Catalyst Health Solutions (CHSI) in a cash and stock deal valued at $4.4 billion. Some proceeds from a recent secondary offering

Ever-Changing Boomers Could Boost Tractor Supply

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
Retail farm and ranch chain Tractor Supply (TSCO) grew earnings 49%, 38% and 34% in the past three years. Can it keep up the fast growth? The Street appears to think the short-term answer is “sort of.” The consensus estimate sees 23% EPS growth this year, just shy of the 25% pace IBD investors seek. If the company can beat 2012 views by 1.5%, then it will hit the 25% mark. Even that growth, though, would represent the third straight year of slower

Vitamin Shoppe Tests Traders’ Resolve At Buy Point

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
In a hostile market environment, breakouts often turn into a test of institutional demand. What exactly is such a test? Imagine a stock that breaks out past a proper buy point of 46.24. It has all of the characteristics of a CAN SLIM leader. Sure enough, it rises fast, hitting a high of 49 in less than two weeks and making an investor 6% richer in the stock. But in the next six sessions, the stock falls five times. Now, the investor is wondering

Mellanox Avoids Flaws Seen In Many Israeli Stocks

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
Mellanox Technologies makes sure that its customers’ servers and data-storage systems all get along, even if those systems weren’t made to work with each other. Mellanox’s clients need to connect their servers and data-storage equipment to each other. Often, a corporate customer will be working with a hodgepodge of systems cobbled together over the years. Mellanox (MLNX) helps make that motley crew of systems work together — as well as making

Guggenheim Defensive Equity Faring Better Than Market

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
Some stocks will tend to hold up in tough market conditions. These defensive issues generally come from the food, utility, telecom or tobacco spaces. Even though they tend to take less heat when the market gets rough, they can still get hit hard on occasion. But income investors can lower risk through an exchanged traded fund (ETF) such as the Guggenheim Defensive Equity (DEF) ETF. The fund tracks the performance of the Sabrient Defensive Equity

Southwest Rises, Spirit Sees Worst Week Since IPO

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
In a week that squeezed losses from all but three industry groups, airlines lost less altitude than most. That resilience lifted the 18-stock group into the top 20 among 197 industries, up from No. 145 at the beginning of March. Airlines might have ended the week on a stronger note, if not for Delta Air Lines (DAL). Delta said Thursday it would trim its total capacity for the year by 3% to 4%, more than previously announced. Most of the paring

Spotting The Correct Buy Point In SolarWinds

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
When stalking a trade, a lot of factors need to come into play before taking action. But being too rigid and waiting for everything to be perfect can cause you to miss out on some big winners. The CAN SLIM investing methodology is a top-down approach. Every aspect should be in play, without exceptions. You want the market to be in an uptrend before buying stocks. It’s best to go with the flow, rather than try to swim upstream. A stock should be in

T-Bond Rally Rests With Yields Near Record Lows

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
Treasury debt prices slipped Friday as investors took profits a day after benchmark yields flirted with their lowest level in at least 60 years in this week’s rally, fueled by anxiety over the euro zone debt crisis. Despite Friday’s modest pullback, benchmark 10-year yields fell for a ninth consecutive week, matching a streak last seen in 1998, according to Reuters data. “We are at levels where most people would like to go short but they can’t

Wheat Notches Biggest Weekly Gain In 16 Years

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:07:00 GMT
Wheat headed for its biggest weekly gain in 16 years on Friday, adding about 16% to prices as hot and dry weather kept fears simmering about production losses in the U.S. Plains and Russia. Soybeans slipped after three straight sessions of gains, while corn climbed on wheat’s coattails. The promise of a bumper U.S. hard red winter wheat crop was eroding by the hour as scorching temperatures and high winds in important growing areas of the U.S.

Options In Focus: Buy, Sell & Behold

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:59:00 GMT
Vertical spreads are handy, if not very adaptable spreads. Traders can look at potential income generation verticals such as an “at” or in-the-money bull call or their same strike put equivalents. The latter type allows traders wishing to accumulate shares on weakness do so with limited risk versus a naked short put “targeted purchase” strategy. There’s also out-of-the bull call spreads to consider. While traders will need some type of bullish

Stocks Suffer Worst Week Of Year; Facebook No Help

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:14:00 GMT
Facebook’s (FB) IPO failed to lift sentiment Friday, as stocks extended losses and logged their worst week of the year. The Nasdaq slumped 1.2% and the S&P 500 fell 0.7%. Both closed a few points above their respective 200-day moving averages. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones industrial average gave up 0.6%. Volume surged across the board due to options expiration. For the week, the Nasdaq tumbled 5.3%. That’s the biggest loss since the week ended Sept.

Market Falls Again As Volume Surges

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:31:00 GMT
After a small and short-lived upside attempt Friday morning, the major stock indexes turned tail and plumbed new lows for the market correction. The Nasdaq fell 1.2% the S&P 500 0.7% and the Dow Jones industrial average 0.6%. That’s six straight losses for the S&P 500 and the Dow, five for the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 ended at its lowest since Jan. 13. Volume rose across the board. The long-awaited Facebook (FB) IPO finally arrived. Shares of the

Stocks Eye Worst Week Of 2012; Facebook Falters, Recovers

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:58:00 GMT
Stocks were lower in late-afternoon action Friday after pulling back from their session highs about 11 a.m. ET, when Facebook (FB) had been slated to start trading but didn’t. The Nasdaq lost 0.9%, the S&P 500 shed 0.6% and the Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.5%. Turnover was tracking up from Thursday’s levels on both main exchanges, boosted by options expirations. The main indexes are all on track to post their worst week since the week

Stocks Down; Facebook Rebounds After Slipping To IPO Price

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:48:00 GMT
Stocks were moderately lower in early afternoon action Friday after pulling back from their session highs around 11 a.m. ET, when Facebook (FB) had been expected to begin trading. The Nasdaq shed 0.3%, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 0.1% and the S&P 500 dipped fractionally. Turnover was tracking higher across the board, boosted by options expirations. Facebook was up about 3% from its offering price at 38, but it had been up more than 13%

Stocks Down; Facebook Up But Off Highs After Delayed Debut

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:01:00 GMT
Stocks traded in negative territory around midday Friday after pulling back from their session highs around 11 a.m. ET, when Facebook (FB) had been expected to begin trading. The Nasdaq lost 0.4%, the Dow Jones industrial average shed 0.1% and the S&P 500 fell less than 0.1%. Turnover was tracking higher across the board, boosted by options expirations. Facebook was up about 3% from its offering price at 38, but it had been up as much as 13% out

Indexes Flat Ahead of Facebook IPO; Autodesk Tanks

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:37:00 GMT
The major indexes were flat in heavy, options-expiration trade early Friday as the market looked toward Facebook’s debut. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% and the Nasdaq and Dow Jones industrial average up 0.1%. Nasdaq volume tracked about double its rate from the same time Thursday. NYSE volume soared. Alcoa (AA) climbed 2% to post the Dow’s top advance. Yahoo (YHOO) led the Nasdaq 100 with a 5% gain, as Nasdaq 100 peer Autodesk (ADSK) stumbled 12%.

Stock Futures Positive; Facebook Waits In The Wings

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:05:00 GMT
Stock futures pointed higher Friday, but slipped from early highs, shadowing a weakening of stocks overseas. Dow futures traded up 52 points. Nasdaq 100 futures were 10.25 points higher and S&P 500 futures were up 6.5 points. The major indexes head into Friday’s session with their work cut out for them, riding a string of losses pointing them toward a possible test of support at their 200-day moving averages. The Nasdaq slipped 4.1% for the week

Correction Sharpens Its Pain And Spreads Its Reach

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:35:00 GMT
The bearish camp kept the pressure on stocks Thursday as the major indexes fell for the seventh time in the past eight sessions. The Nasdaq logged the day’s biggest loss at 2.1%, while the Dow Jones industrial average notched the smallest at 1.2%. In between, the S&P 500 and the NYSE composite each fell 1.5%. Volume rose 8% on the NYSE and 6% on the Nasdaq. At this point, the bulls are beaten and cowering. A correction is like a schoolyard bully:

Top Stocks End Mostly Lower, Many Near Intraday Lows

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:55:00 GMT
Most Sector Leaders fell Thursday, with many closing near their intraday lows as the overall market continued to sell off. Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) was among the biggest losers, diving back below its key support line. Twelve of the 15 stocks on the leaders’ list ended lower, half of them in above-average volume. Meanwhile, the list of top stocks lost another member on Thursday as Bio Reference Labs (BRLI) dropped out after lingering below its

Stocks Hitting Highs Include Verizon, McCormick

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:54:00 GMT
The new highs list retained its defensive flavor Thursday, as steady stocks such as Verizon Communications (VZ) and McCormick (MKC) touched fresh peaks. Verizon largely has been moving sideways this year, but it’s now reached a new 52-week high. The telecom pays a nice dividend and is holding up well in the current market correction. On the other hand, it doesn’t come close to looking like a CAN SLIM growth stock. Its three-year EPS growth is -4%,

Keep Watch Lists Updated In Corrections

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:52:00 GMT
Some leading stocks with big earnings estimates continue to fare relatively well in the face of a worsening market. Don’t tune out of stocks altogether during a market correction. Use the time to build your watch lists so that you’ll be ready once a market uptrend resumes. Equinix (EQIX) sits about 11% off its high or a touch worse than the Nasdaq. The stock is slightly below its 10-day moving average. But the stock pulled back to the line in

NetEase Surges As First-Quarter Report Beats Estimates

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
NetEase (NTES) pushed into new high ground Thursday after the Chinese online video-gaming star released its first-quarter report, which held a few pleasant surprises. In its Q1 report, released late Wednesday, NetEase netted $1.14 per share, a 33% rise from its year-earlier profit and 4 cents better than expected. Revenue climbed 36% to $312.1 million, also beating estimates. That 33% EPS rise was a tad better than the prior quarter, which saw a

Yields Fall Near Record Low Amid Dour Economic Data

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
Treasury debt prices rose on Thursday as disappointing data on regional U.S. business activity and worries about Greece’s political turmoil and the health of Spanish banks stoked safe-haven bids. Yields on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell to their lowest levels in more than seven months and were within striking distance of 1.67%, the lowest yield in at least 60 years. “Treasuries continue to be the haven of choice for a spooked market,”

EU Stress Sinks Brent, But WTI Barely Budges

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
July Brent crude oil in the ICE exchange fell $2.19 to $107.56 a barrel Thursday, touching its lowest since Dec. 30, as investors avoided risky assets due to mounting fears that turmoil in Greece could spread. Meanwhile, West Texas intermediate July crude on the Nymex fell just 38 cents to $92.43. The owners of the U.S. Seaway pipeline said that its flow reversal was completed as expected. Now, rather than pipe oil to the Cushing, Okla., delivery

Copa Hangs Tight In Tough Market

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
Copa Holdings (CPA) is hanging tough in the face of market turbulence. Despite a market correction, the stock sits just a few percentage points off its record peak from earlier this month. The stock’s Relative Strength line is at a new high. Stocks that fare well during rough market conditions can go on to be some of the best performers once the weight of the selling is lifted. Copa cleared a 77.90 buy point in a flat base in late March. It has

Auto Parts, Dollar Stores Tumble After Earnings

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
Industry leadership took a bearish turn Thursday as two of the most resilient defensive groups unraveled in heavy trade. Auto parts retailers and dollar store chains dropped after earnings reports from Dollar Tree (DLTR) and Advance Auto Parts (AAP). Advance Auto swooned 17% after missing Q1 earnings forecasts. Management said a mild winter led to fewer major repairs for cars, and warned of “constrained” results in the current quarter. Shares of

Texas Capital Bancshares, UMB Financial In Buy Area

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
Shares of big banks plunged following JPMorgan Chase’s (JPM) huge trading loss, but Thursday’s Spotlight shone on a pair of regional lenders that continue to hold up well despite the market’s correction. Dallas-based Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) and Kansas City-based UMB Financial (UMBF) were in buy ranges as they hover above their 50-day moving averages. Both engage mainly in the old-fashioned business of taking deposits and making loans

Options In Focus: Less VIX’ing Behavior

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:11:00 GMT
Here we go again? Regular readers of this column may recall on Monday we warned of that session’s fearful stretch of 15% in the CBOE Volatility Index  relative to its 10-day simple moving average as suspect. In fact, we expressed if rules were made to be broken, this appeared to be one of those times to override a mechanical rule with the mindful kind. Worrying us at the time, while the relative stretch on a short-term basis was sufficient;

S&P 500 Slumps For Fifth Straight Session

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:03:00 GMT
Stocks suffered big losses Thursday, extending their recent slide. The market dealt with disappointing economic reports, and worries over Greece continued to weigh. Fitch downgraded Greece’s debt rating Thursday. The Nasdaq tumbled 2.1% to a fresh three-month low. The S&P 500 stretched its losing streak to five sessions. It lost 1.5% and neared potential support at the 1300 level. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones industrial average dropped 1.2%, with 24

Spotting The Buy Point: Priceline In Early 2011

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:52:00 GMT
The market is wallowing in a correction, and many highflying stocks have fallen back to earth. But that doesn’t mean investors ought to just curl up in a ball and weep. Instead, it’s a good time to look for highly rated stocks that are consolidating in an orderly fashion. That way, when the market gets back into an uptrend, you’ll be ready to take advantage of the new opportunities immediately. You’ll have a watch list with some promising stocks,

Economic Report Sends Stocks Diving With Heavy Volume

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:19:00 GMT
A grim report on mid-Atlantic manufacturing and no relief from Europe’s painful mess combined Thursday to deal stocks a heavy blow. The Nasdaq swooned 2.1%, the S&P 500 1.5% and the Dow Jones industrial average 1.2%. Volume was higher. The U.S. economic headlines were dominated by the Philadelphia Fed’s business-activity index — which is pretty much a factory gauge — fall to -5.8 in May from April’s reading of 8.5. May’s result was the first

Gold Prices And Miners ETFs Defy Global Sell-Off

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:28:00 GMT
Gold prices rebounded from a five-month low Thursday amid an intensifying global sell-off in stocks and a weakening dollar. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) jumped 2.4% to 153.05. In the futures market, gold climbed 2.3% to $1,576 an ounce. PowerShares DB U.S. Dollar Index Bullish (UUP), tracking the greenback against major currencies, eased 0.24% to 22.51. Oversold conditions, bargain hunting and short covering, in which traders have to buy back their

Stocks Slump In Higher Volume; Dick’s Sporting Goods Off 4%

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:08:00 GMT
Stocks traded in the red and near session lows in late-afternoon action Thursday, as the Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 stayed on pace to post their fifth straight down day. The Dow lost 0.8%, while the S&P 500 shed nearly 1%. The Nasdaq fared worst with a 1.4% loss, setting up the tech-heavy index for its fourth down session in a row. Turnover is tracking up from Wednesday’s levels on both main exchanges. Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS)

Stocks Slump In Higher Volume, But NetEase Resists Sell-Off

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:46:00 GMT
Stocks held firmly in the red but lifted off their session lows in early-afternoon action Thursday. The Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 stayed on pace to post their fifth straight down day. The Dow lost 0.4%, while the S&P 500 shed 0.5%. The Nasdaq fared worst with a 0.8% loss, setting up the tech-heavy index for its fourth down session in a row. Turnover is now tracking up from Wednesday’s levels on both main exchanges. NetEase (NTES)

Stocks Fall Further; Liquidity Services Dives

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:07:00 GMT
Stocks fell further into the red and touched fresh session lows around midday Thursday, putting the S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average on pace to post their fifth straight down day. The Dow lost 0.5%, while the S&P 500 shed 0.6%. The Nasdaq fared worst with a 1% loss, setting up the tech-heavy index for its fourth down session in a row. Turnover was tracking up from Wednesday’s level for the NYSE, but down slighty for the Nasdaq. Liquidity

Stocks Slip In Quiet Trade; Advance Auto Craters

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:49:00 GMT
Markets opened with mild losses Thursday on soft weekly jobs data and mixed earnings reports. A startling drop in Philadelphia-region manufacturing was a drag on the market. The Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 each fell 0.3%. The Nasdaq slipped 0.4%. Volume was down 15% on the Nasdaq and 3% lower on the NYSE compared with the same time Wednesday. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Index slumped to a -5.7 reading for May, an abrupt reversal

Futures Dip On Jobs Data; Sears, Wal-Mart Climb

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:09:00 GMT
Stock futures slipped from mixed trade to mild losses ahead of Thursday’s open, after disappointing unemployment data. Futures for Dow, Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 stocks all traded narrowly below fair market value. Initial jobless claims were unchanged at 370,000 in the week ended May 12, the Labor Department reported. Analysts had called for a decline to 365,000 claims. Ongoing claims rose to 3.265 million in the week ended May 5, vs. the prior

Stocks Reverse Lower Again As Greek Bank Woes Mount

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:12:00 GMT
The ongoing 21st-century Greek financial tragedy depressed investors again Wednesday as some banks in the cradle of democracy are reportedly no longer getting aid from Europe’s central bank. Reuters, quoting sources, noted several Greek banks are no longer solvent, and hence must seek funding from that country’s monetary authorities. The sources said as many as four lenders were operating with negative equity capital. National Bank of Greece

New Lows Stay At High Count; Gold In Bear Country

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:38:00 GMT
As the major stock indexes slouched further south Wednesday, the new-lows count also remained at high levels. The Nasdaq served up 81 new lows vs. 34 new highs. The NYSE rang up 122 new lows vs. 33 highs. This continued a recent trend. Also, gold prices officially re-entered bear country, at least as measured by the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD). The exchange traded fund reflects the action of gold. Intraday on Wednesday, the ETF fell to 20% below its

Top Stocks Mixed; Intuitive Surgical Below 50-Day Line

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:12:00 GMT
The Sector Leaders ended mixed for a second day Wednesday, holding tough despite the market’s correction. But a couple of top medical stocks dipped below their 50-day moving averages. The leaders’ list shrank by one, to 16, after SciClone Pharmaceuticals (SCLN) dropped out. The stock has been struggling below its 50-day line since early May. Fellow medical stocks Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) and Questcor Pharmaceuticals (QCOR) also ended below their

Two Chinese Companies Tapping Into Natural Gas Demand

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:12:00 GMT
The combination of China’s voracious energy needs and a global surplus of natural gas makes a compelling story for at least two Hong Kong-listed companies. Enn Energy Holdings and Towngas, two companies that distribute natural gas in mainland China, are potential leaders in Hong Kong, seen as a gateway for foreigners to do business in the world’s biggest emerging market. At first glance, it’s hard to get excited about companies that hook up homes

Options In Focus: A Friend with Benefits

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:55:00 GMT
If you’ve heard the expression of having a friend with benefits, you’ll know that shacking up an existing long stock position with a long put can offer similar rewards that can’t be obtained through a standard marriage. Not that we’d recommend the double entendre, but for bulls who’ve already risked an unprotected affair with the likes of a breakout; legging into a long put can be extremely attractive. To illustrate where this type of legged

Nationstar Mortgage, Valspar Rise On Real Estate Data

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:42:00 GMT
A slug of strong data Wednesday, diluted by a couple of caveats, earned a mixed reaction from construction and real estate stocks. April housing starts and weekly mortgage applications jumped while mortgage delinquencies decreased in the first quarter. But building permits, a measure of future activity, slipped in April. Housing starts, despite rising 2.6%, remained in a three-month downtrend. And the Mortgage Bankers Association noted

Analyst: ‘Treasury Market Is Priced For Armageddon’

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:37:00 GMT
Treasury prices were steady to higher in another choppy session on Wednesday as news that the European Central Bank cut off funds to some cash-strapped Greek banks and bond-friendly minutes from the Federal Reserve’s April meeting supported bids for low-risk government bonds. Investors, not only fearing possible financial contagion due to the political turmoil in Greece, are also favoring Treasuries and other perceived safe-haven assets on signs

Greece’s Crisis, Falling Stocks Send Oil Diving

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:37:00 GMT
Crude oil tumbled Wednesday, weighed by pressure from equities, as banking woes in Greece highlighted the euro zone debt crisis, sparking risk aversion across markets. Falling for the fourth straight session, June crude settled at $92.81, down $1.17, the lowest front-month settlement since Nov. 2. It fell to $91.81 early, the lowest intraday since Nov. 3. The European Central Bank confirmed a Reuters report that it has stopped lending to some

S&P 500 Logs Fourth Straight Loss

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:21:00 GMT
Stocks extended losses Wednesday in a seesaw session. Equities dealt with mixed earnings and economic news, as well as Greece’s continuing debt saga. The Nasdaq dropped 0.7% after having been up as much as 0.7%. The S&P 500 fell 4% and stretched its losing streak to four sessions. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 0.3%. Volume rose on both major exchanges. Even though the losses in the major averages weren’t all that bad,

Be Patient As Market Identifies Winners And Losers

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:45:00 GMT
Bad investing usually comes down to one word: impatience. If a cash position during a market correction makes you so anxious you just have to jump back in to stocks, you might win here and there. But over time, you will lose because the trend has the odds on its side. If waiting for an IPO to form a base seems like time wasted, you will learn the cost of short cuts. If you rush into a stock when the company has yet to earn a dime because “it has a

Ignite Restaurant Group Makes A Zesty Market Entrance

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:43:00 GMT
When a salesman hands a buyer the keys to a new car, it’s ready to drive off the lot. So how should an investor treat a stock that is roaring full-throttle right after its IPO? As the Investor’s Corner has explained, it’s wise to watch and wait. Watch for the stock to develop a trading range. Wait until a justifiable buy point emerges. That said, once in a while, a stock with superb fundamentals takes precious little time to form a base — less

B&G Foods Forms A New Base; Pays Fat Dividend

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:43:00 GMT
Good stocks form bases during corrections and that’s just what B&G Foods (BGS) is doing now. The stock has actually been consolidating since reaching a high of 24.64 in late December. Currently, B&G Foods is in a long flat base with a 24.74 buy point for now. The stock recently found support at its 40-week moving average, a clear sign of institutional demand. Last week, B&G Foods spiked above its 10-week line on a jump in volume. The line has

MFS Mid-Cap Growth Fund Resists Pull Of Low Quality Stocks

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:34:00 GMT
The broad market sell-off can pose many temptations. A lot of stocks end up in the bargain bin. But that’s precisely when it’s most important to keep your discipline, says Paul Gordon, co-manager of $1 billion MFS Mid-Cap Growth Fund . His goal isn’t just to find stocks whose prices have been slashed, Gordon says. It’s to land names whose growth potential is as high as their price is low. And that’s why Gordon and co-manager Eric Fischman have

Europe Woes Send Stocks Falling As Volume Picks Up

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:27:00 GMT
Stocks ended lower Wednesday as investors coped with Europe’s ongoing saga and minutes from the Federal reserve’s April meeting. The Nasdaq fell 0.7%, the S&P 500 0.4% and the Dow Jones industrial average 0.3%. Volume rose across the board, early figures showed. “Several members indicated that additional monetary policy accommodation could be necessary if the economic recovery lost momentum or the downside risks to the forecast became great

Stocks In The Red After Fed Minutes; Google Adds 2%

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:28:00 GMT
Stocks traded in negative territory and near their session lows in late-afternoon action Wednesday, losing ground after a Fed minutes release at 2 p.m. ET. The Nasdaq lost 0.7%, the S&P 500 shed 0.3% and the Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.1%. Volume continued to track up from Tuesday’s levels on both main exchanges. The Fed minutes indicated little change in policymakers’ assessments of the U.S. economic outlook, but also contained cautionary

Stocks Up But Off Highs Ahead Of Fed Minutes; Google Adds 3%

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:14:00 GMT
Stocks remained in positive territory but off their session highs in early-afternoon action Wednesday, ahead of a Fed minutes release at 2 p.m. ET. The Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 both were up 0.2%, while the Nasdaq was roughly flat. Volume continued to track up from Tuesday’s levels on both main exchanges. Google (GOOG) advanced 3% in fast trade, climbing back above its 50-day moving average. The tech giant has been consolidating

Stocks Give Up Gains After ECB News; Fed Minutes On Tap

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:03:00 GMT
Stocks traded well off their session highs at midday Wednesday, appearing to sell off following reports the European Central Bank has cut off some Greek banks. The Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 both were up 0.2%, while the Nasdaq was roughly flat. Volume was tracking up from Tuesday’s levels on both main exchanges. The ECB has stopped monetary policy operations with some Greek banks as they have not been successfully recapitalized, said

Stock Market Opens Higher; Google, Buffalo Wild Wings Rising

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:39:00 GMT
Stocks opened higher in mixed trade Wednesday, helped by April industrial production and construction data. The S&P 500 led with a 0.6% gain. The Nasdaq climbed 0.4% and the Dow Jones industrial average 0.5%. Volume was up 5% on the Nasdaq and 5% lower on the NYSE compared with the same time Tuesday. Mortgage application activity surged 9.2% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Refinance applications led, rising 13% to nearly

Stocks Futures Aim Higher; Ulta Beauty, Deere Rising

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:10:00 GMT
Stock futures added to early gains before Wednesday’s open, despite mixed earnings reports and April housing data. Dow futures traded 63 points higher. Nasdaq 100 futures were up 14.3 points and S&P 500 futures climbed 7.8 points. In the construction trade, housing starts jumped while building permits slowed sharply in April. Starts rose 2.5% to 717,000, above analyst views for a slowdown to 680,000. The number of building permits issued declined

Stocks Can’t Hold Gains, Reverse In Higher Volume

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:03:00 GMT
After trading in positive territory for most of Tuesday’s session, stocks sold off late in the afternoon to end firmly in the red and near their lows for the day. The NYSE composite dropped 0.9%, the S&P 500 0.6% and the Nasdaq 0.3%. Volume increased from Monday’s levels on both main exchanges, adding vehemence to the move lower. All three indexes touched their lowest levels in the past three to four months. Also discouraging: The Nasdaq and S&P

Baidu Showed In 2007 How It Overcame Some Chart Flaws

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:37:00 GMT
In the first half of 2007, Baidu (BIDU) created an unusual cup-type base. Then again, Baidu was an unusual stock. How so? Baidu’s growth rate was off the charts. When the stock eventually broke out, profit quadrupled in 2006 and was on pace to more than double by the end of 2007. Revenue soared 190% in 2004 (to $14 million), 176% in 2005 ($39 million) and 171% in 2006 ($106 million). Remember, it’s not the size of the top line or the bottom line

Options In Focus: What Volatility

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT
Investors often hear the word “volatility” or one of its derivatives; pardon the pun, used to help describe price action in the market. But for option traders there are a couple types of volatility which are important to learn as they relate to the pricing of calls and puts. The broader usage of volatility is most often associated with underlying price movement or statistical volatility of a certain individual security or an index such as the

New Lows Keep Grip On Market, But That Could Change

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT
At midday Tuesday, the Nasdaq was up as much as 1%. Yet, new lows and highs were telling a different story. New lows had a solid lead over new highs throughout the morning and locked the advantage in as the markets slid in the afternoon. The new lows have topped new highs on the Nasdaq in seven of the past eight sessions. Does that undermine the market’s attempts to shake off the correction? Not really. When the indexes delivered a follow-through

Liquidity Services Upstages Groupon As Internet Star

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT
Internet coupon innovator Groupon (GRPN) spiked as much as 27% on positive Q1 results early Tuesday, but settled with a 4% gain. The poor reversal belied recent gains by Internet retail stocks, which reached a ranking of No. 68 out of 197 industries in Tuesday’s IBD, up from No. 191 on March 1. Liquidity Services (LQDT) powered the bulk of those gains, but others have also played a part. Amazon.com (AMZN) advanced 29% in March and April. EBay

Sector Leaders End Mixed; Some May Be Working On Bases

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT
The 17 Sector Leaders ended mixed on Tuesday as a number of top stocks continue to work on bases amid the market correction. Volume was low. In all, nine of the leaders rose, led by medical sector stocks such as Align Technology (ALGN), which was the only issue to climb in above-average volume. Align, which has developed a proprietary system to treat misaligned teeth, added 0.66 to 31.25 and is out of buying range after bouncing off its 50-day

Retail ETFs Rise On Dick’s And TJX’s Earnings Beat

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:01:00 GMT
Exchange traded funds tracking retail chains rallied Tuesday after TJX Cos. (TJX) and Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS) beat analysts’ earnings forecasts. That’s while U.S. retail sales nationwide barely rose in April, suggesting a slowdown in consumer spending in the second quarter following a strong start to the year. SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) rose as much as 1.6% intraday before paring gains to 0.24% to end at 59.34. Market Vectors Retail ETF (RTH)

T-Bond Prices End Flat As Bids Run Into Profit-Taking

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:01:00 GMT
Treasury debt prices ended little changed Tuesday as worries about Greece’s political turmoil offset earlier profit-taking and data suggesting the U.S. economy has not succumbed to Europe’s debt troubles. Nagging concerns over the banking system in the aftermath of a $2 billion trading loss at JPMorgan Chase also stoked bids for Treasuries, analysts and traders said. “There are more concerns about Greece. The risk markets are selling off and

Wheat Rebounds On Worries Over Dry Conditions

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:53:00 GMT
Wheat rose nearly 2% Tuesday — its biggest gain in more than two weeks — as selling pressure eased due to concerns about dryness for the maturing winter wheat crop. July wheat rose 10-1/4 cents to $6.08-1/2 per bushel, touching the highest price in nearly a week before paring gains. Wheat lost 2% of its value last week, the second straight big weekly drop. Hot, dry weather expected this week could hurt the developing hard red winter wheat crop in

Dividend Stock Leader Ecolab Offers Growth & Income

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:59:00 GMT
Published every Tuesday, IBD’s Big Cap 20 can be a place to look for large-cap stocks that pay dividends. Ecolab (ECL), No. 13 on Tuesday’s list, has a long track record of delivering growth. It’s also paid dividends for 75 years to shareholders. The nearly 90-year-old firm provides cleaning, sanitation, housekeeping, water treatment and other services around the world. The company serves the foodservice, lodging, health care, education and

Hong Kong Market Shows Relative Improvement

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:52:00 GMT
Hong Kong’s and Shanghai’s benchmark exchange traded funds have been lagging returns of many other markets — including the U.S. — for several years. But some scrutiny reveals an improvement of sorts for Hong Kong in the past six months. The Hong Kong and Shanghai stock indexes and exchange traded funds well reflect the underlying fundamentals: behaving poorly and trying to correct themselves. But Hong Kong offers access to foreigners wishing to do

Stocks Try To Recoup, But Morning Gains Evaporate

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:25:00 GMT
After a promising morning of substantial gains, stocks reversed lower Tuesday and ended with losses. The S&P 500 fell 0.6%, the Dow Jones industrial average 0.5% and the Nasdaq 0.3%. Volume rose, according to preliminary figures. The S&P 500 and the Dow had each climbed as high as 0.5%, while the Nasdaq tacked on 1% before the selling began in earnest. After failing to cobble together a coalition government, Greece now faces a new election next

Stocks Try To Hold Gains; Home Depot Slides On Q1 Report

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:02:00 GMT
Stocks have given up gains and turned mixed in afternoon action Tuesday. Investors continue to digest a round of encouraging economic reports, but also the latest Greek drama. The Nasdaq was up 0.4%, while the Dow Jones industrial average was roughly flat. The S&P 500 dipped less than 0.1%. Turnover was tracking slightly up from Monday’s level on both main exchanges. On the earnings front, Home Depot (HD) dropped 2% after a 6% gain in Q1 sales

Web.com Shows Resilience After Stock Offering

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:49:00 GMT
How should an investor react when a stock gaps down in brisk volume? The savvy investor finds out as many details that help explain the negative action. Then he or she studies the action in relation to the overall trend of the stock before making a trading decision. Web.com Group (WWWW) provides a useful case study. The stock went public in November 2005. It has been popping up in the Stock Spotlight screen lately after recovering from a 60% slide

Stocks Up In Higher Trade, But IBD 50′s Valspar Falls

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:40:00 GMT
Stocks held respectable gains in early-afternoon action Tuesday, as a round of encouraging economic reports continued to overshadow the latest Greek drama. The Nasdaq was up 0.8%, while the Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 each added 0.3%. Turnover was tracking slightly up from Monday’s level on both main exchanges. The Dow and S&P 500 turned slightly negative in late-morning trade, but then recovered. On the earnings front, Valspar (VAL)

Leading Stocks Get Hit As Correction Rolls On

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:29:00 GMT
Even though the market finished off its lows of the week, a round of leaders still showed bad action. Ubiquiti Networks (UBNT) had another volatile week. It plunged 16% in huge trade. The dive brings its two-week loss to 33%. Ubiquiti has nearly given back all gains from its January breakout from a double-bottom base. Fossil (FOSL) also had a rough time as it wiped out about four months of gains in a single week. Weaker-than-expected Q1 sales

Stocks Advance; TJX, Dick’s Climb On Q1 Earnings

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:19:00 GMT
Stocks hit fresh highs around midday Tuesday, as a round of encouraging economic reports appeared to overshadow the latest Greek drama. The Nasdaq was up 0.9%, while the Dow Jones industrial average and S&P 500 each added 0.5%. Turnover was tracking slightly up from Monday’s level for the Nasdaq, but down slightly for the NYSE. The Dow and S&P 500 turned slightly negative in late-morning action, but then recovered. Greek lawmakers have broken off

Stocks Hold Gains As Greek Talks Collapse; Groupon Jumps

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:40:00 GMT
Stocks held their initial gains Tuesday after healthy factory and inflation data, despite the euro’s sharp drop vs. the dollar. The Nasdaq climbed 0.4% while the Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 each gained 0.2%. European markets gave up modest gains and reversed lower after Greek lawmakers reportedly broke off talks to form a coalition government. Greek President Karolos Papoulias lost in his bid to form a technocrat-led government to

Stock Futures Fade As Greek Government Tragedy Continues

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:28:00 GMT
Stock futures, up strongly less than an hour before the opening bell,
erased nearly all of their gains as Greece’s political parties failed to
reach a coalition government, setting the stage for new elections that
could ultimately lead to the country being forced out of the euro.

Stocks Close Near Lows As Midday Recovery Fades

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:55:00 GMT
Here’s the good news: The Nasdaq closed above 2900 again. The bad news: Stocks faded for the third straight session Monday. In the end, stocks extended their two-week slide Monday, with all major averages racking up losses in excess of 1%. The NYSE composite tumbled 1.4% to a near four-month low as energy stocks weighed. Crude oil prices dropped 2% to their lowest level of the year. Financials were also hit hard again. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 lost

Europe’s Woes Rattle Global Markets Yet Again

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
Bad news from Europe overshadowed good news from China, sending foreign stock indexes and exchange traded funds spiraling lower Monday. A stalemate in Athens between pro- and anti-austerity factions is preventing President Karolos Papoulias from forming a new government. Syriza, a leftist party and the biggest of Greece’s anti-austerity and anti-bailout factions, on Monday refused further coalition talks with President Papoulias. Papoulias’

Sector Leaders Fall Across The Board; Volume Dries Up

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
The Sector Leaders fell across-the-board in low volume Monday, led by software developer Sourcefire (FIRE) and drugmaker Questcor Pharmaceuticals (QCOR). The leaders’ list expanded by one, to 17, with the addition of Sciclone Pharmaceuticals (SCLN),which develops treatments for infectious diseases and cancer. The company earned 97% of its revenue from China in 2011. The stock marked its entry to the list by falling 0.09 to 5.81 in average

New Highs Analysis: More Defensive Names Hit Peaks

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
Several food stocks touched fresh 52-week peaks Monday, continuing a recent trend that’s given the new-highs list a defensive flavor. Heinz (HNZ) edged up fractionally in average turnover as it reached a new high again. The packaged foods giant is working to clear a long consolidation with resistance around 55. Hershey (HSY) added nearly 1% in average volume as it hit a high. The candy producer is well extended past its last buy zone after a

Some Big Cap 20 Stocks In Buy Area Despite Correction

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
Investors are warned to avoid buying stocks during market downturns, such as the one that began when the Market Pulse indicated on May 4 that a correction had begun. Yet, temptation lurks in this week’s Big Cap 20. Four top-ranked companies with market values of $15 billion or more are in a buying area while two others are just below their entry points. These stocks could pop up when the market turns around. Biotech stock Amgen (AMGN) is just

Firming Dollar Pushes Gold To Four-Month Low

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT
Gold fell to a 4-1/2-month low Monday, hit by concerns about a worsening debt crisis in the euro zone following political deadlock in Greece which fueled risk-aversion and put pressure on the euro. Spot gold hit a session low at $1,556.61 an ounce, its lowest since Dec. 30, 2011, before recovering slightly to trade at $1,561.10 an ounce, down 1.1% from $1,578.30 hit late in New York on Friday. Gold has moved in tandem with riskier assets this year

Sky Diving And Buy Points: The Moment Of Commitment

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:25:00 GMT
There comes a point where every skydiver has to jump out of the aircraft. The equivalent moment of total commitment for investors is when a stock hits the buy point. In both cases, the key to survival is preparation. For paratroopers this means proper flight training, a perfectly packed chute and a thorough gear inspection. Investors need to have carefully vetted their stock. Fundamentals must be up to snuff. Chart patterns must meet all necessary

Options In Focus: That Was Then, VIX Is Now

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:19:00 GMT
Here we go again? In some ways Monday’s bid in the CBOE Volatility Index might look like last Wednesday’s panic wherein the sentiment gauge narrowly eclipsed its early April highs. That action you may recall was partly responsible for a fairly strong, reversal set up in the broader market which we discussed on Thursday. That said, with today’s finishing tally of 9.40% to 21.76%, should we see this as a sort of second opportunity and another

Polaris Hangs Tough Amid Volatility

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:14:00 GMT
Despite increased market volatility, Polaris Industries (PII) continues to trade in tight fashion near its record high. The tight action in the past few weeks is a sign of support from professional investors, such as mutual funds and hedge funds. Polaris’ action bears watching as stocks that hang tough during tough market conditions can be some of the best performers once the weight of the market gets lifted. Polaris broke out from a 63.16 buy

Polaris, Sturm Ruger Lead Leisure Sector Strength

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:14:00 GMT
A sharp divergence in behavior between high-end consumers and the rest of the economy is affecting the reliability of traditional economic gauges. But high-end consumers are “alive and well,” and “they are spending money,” AT&T (T) CEO Randall Stephenson told Bloomberg last week. That spending helped move the leisure sector into the top slot among 33 sectors tracked by IBD over the past couple of weeks, from a No. 31 ranking in January. Three

Watson Pharmaceuticals Pulls Back After Bullish Gap

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:14:00 GMT
When a market leader is retreating after making a big gap-up in price on its breakout, what should the investor do? The rules stay the same, whether or not the stock gaps up or not. Losses should be limited to no more than 8%, and the strength of the stock, its industry group and the market should be monitored. Watson Pharmaceuticals (WPI) has been appearing in the Stock Spotlight screen frequently in recent weeks. The stock gapped up 7% on April

Greek Crisis, China Slump Fuel Treasury Bond Demand

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:04:00 GMT
Treasury prices rose Monday, pushing yields to the lowest since early October as political turmoil in Greece, an anti-austerity vote in Germany and concern of slower growth in China drove a bid for safety. Uncertainty over the impact of a potential Greek exit from the euro spurred the rush to safety, hurting riskier assets and helping U.S. government debt. Germany’s political landscape appeared to be shifting as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s

Long-Term Focus Wins For American Century Growth Fund

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:35:00 GMT
As if shareholders need a reminder, growth investing is not for the faint of heart, the managers of $9.4 billion American Century Growth note in their first-quarter commentary. But it’s the competition that’s been getting most of the scares recently. Growth Fund topped its large-cap growth peer group in eight of the past 12 quarters. Managers Gregory Woodhams and E.A. Prescott LeGard did that by aiming for stocks making sustainable, long-term

Four Top Country ETFs With Best Technical Strength

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:35:00 GMT
Like small companies, small countries often can grow at a faster clip than large ones. That has been true this year for four developing countries that have outpaced world markets — Colombia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Unfortunately, their names don’t form a clever acronym, just CPTV. But their ETFs have vaulted at least 16% and as much as 35% in 2012 vs. an average of 4% for all emerging markets. Their economies are expected to grow 4%

Indexes Close Near Session Lows; Leading Stocks Also Fall

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:25:00 GMT
An attempted rebound failed Monday as the stock indexes sprang off the day’s lows and then sagged in the final 90 minutes. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 dropped 1.1% each while the Dow Jones industrial average fell 1%. The NYSE composite lopped off 1.4%. Volume was lower on both major exchanges, according to unconfirmed numbers. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) gapped down 3% in volume that was 150% above average. The stock also gapped down Friday, though the

Robert Levine: How To Make Money In Junk Bonds

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:00:00 GMT
Rock-bottom interest rates have investors scrambling for sources of dividend income. Robert Levine, founder of Nomura Corporate Research and Asset Management, explains one way of doing this in his soon-to-be published book, “How to Make Money With Junk Bonds. Also known as below-investment-grade corporate bonds or high-yield bonds, these debts offer greater returns with higher risks. Levine served as CEO and chief investment officer for nearly 20

Euro Jitters Sink Stocks Again

Mon, 14 May 2012 20:27:00 GMT
Stocks pushed lower Monday as Greece’s ongoing mess sparked talk that that country may have to exit the euro zone. The S&P 500 fell and the Nasdaq each fell 1.1%, while the Dow Jones industrial average lost 1%. Volume fell 5% on the Nasdaq and 1% on the NYSE, according to preliminary data. Losses were broad, with all but about 16 of 197 industries losing ground. A political deadlock in Athens likely will mean new elections in debt-crunched Greece.

Stocks Slip In Lower Trade; Groupon Soars Before Q1 Report

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:57:00 GMT
Stocks held near their session highs but still firmly in the red in late-afternoon action, weighed down by the latest euro zone concerns. The S&P 500 lost 0.7%, while the Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq both shed 0.6%. The main indexes today all have touched their lowest levels since early February, but then bounced back. Volume continues to track lower across the board. On the upside, Groupon (GRPN) surged 19% in big trade, trading near

Stocks Down In Lower Trade; Genesco, Ancestry.com Slide

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:35:00 GMT
Stocks held off their session lows but stayed down in early-afternoon action Monday, weighed down by the latest euro zone concerns. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average both lost 0.6% while the Nasdaq shed 0.5%. The main indexes today all have touched their lowest levels since early February, but then bounced back. Volume continues to track lower across the board. Genesco (GCO) is down 1% in heavy turnover. The shoe and hat seller tried to

Stocks Down In Lower Trade; Sturm Ruger, Advance Auto Fall

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:01:00 GMT
Stocks lifted off their session lows but stayed firmly in the red at midday Monday, weighed down by the latest euro-zone concerns. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average both lost 0.7%, while the Nasdaq shed 0.6%. The main indexes today all have touched their lowest levels since early February, but have bounced back. Volume continues to track lower across the board. The market is getting hit by Greece’s continued political gridlock, which

Stocks Open Lower In Mixed Trade; Groupon Rockets

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:38:00 GMT
Mining and oil-related stocks led early declines Monday as stocks reacted to rising uncertainty in Europe and more weakness in oil prices. The S&P 500 fell 1.2%, the Dow Jones industrial average 1.1% and the Nasdaq 1%. Volume was 14% lower on the Nasdaq and 7% higher on the NYSE compared with the same time Friday. Europe’s leading indexes deepened losses in afternoon trading. Uncertainty about Greece’s status as a euro zone country, a vote

Stock Futures In Red On Europe Fallout; Oil Retreats

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:06:00 GMT
Stock futures maintained their early losses ahead of Monday’s open, as the dollar climbed vs. the euro and oil-related stocks came under pressure. Dow futures traded 90 points lower. Nasdaq 100 futures were down 20 points and S&P 500 futures slipped 11.2 points. BMC Software (BMC) climbed 4% in premarket trade. The company announced that two hedge funds under Elliott Management Corp. had acquired a more than 5% stake and intended to press for the

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