Stocks News

Equities Strong industrial production data from China help lift Asian markets. The Nikkei gained 1.1% to 9548, the Kospi climbed 1.4% and the ASX 200 rose .5%. China’s Shanghai Composite rose 1.1%, but the Hang Seng closed down .1%. Inflation data from China showed inflation rose to 5.5% in April, the highest level in nearly 3 years. After the close, China’s central bank raised reserve requirements by .5% in an attempt to slow inflation and growth. European markets bounced, as the upbeat Chinese data reassured investors that the global economy’s recovery is on track. The DAX rose 1.7%, the CAC40 rose 1.5% and the FTSE rose .5%. In the US, the markets rallied, as the Dow rose 123 points to 12076 and the Nasdaq climbed 1.5%. Best Buy shares rose 4.6% after beating earnings estimates, and GT Solar surged 9.5% after raising its outlook. Nasdaq Jumps 1.5% as Equities Rally JC Penney named Ron Johnson, former head of Apple’s retail operations, as CEO.   The...

Some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are: Analysts expect Best Buy Co Inc (NYSE: BBY) to report its Q1 EPS at $0.33 on revenue of $10.70 billion. BBY shares jumped 0.56% to $28.98 in after-hours trading. Hewlett-Packard Co (NYSE: HPQ) named 29-year veteran Ann Livermore to the company's board. The company's Chief Administrative Officer Pete Bocian and Chief Information Officer Randy Mott are departing. Dave Donatelli, head of H-P's servers and storage business; Bill Veghte, who runs software; and Jan Zadak, executive vice president of global sales, will now report directly to Chief Executive Leo Apotheker. HPQ shares gained 0.32% to $34.76 in after-hours trading. Analysts are expecting FactSet Research Systems Inc (NYSE: FDS) to have earned $0.92 per share on revenue of $183.10 million in the third quarter. FDS shares rose 0.46% to $104.77 in after-hours trading. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE: CLF) raised $853.7 million through a public offering of 10.35 million shares. CLF shares rose 0.19% to...

The following stocks hit new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading session: 1) 8x8 (NASDAQ: EGHT): Shares of 8x8 hit a 52-week high of $3.97 in Wednesday's session. The stock was heavily sold into, however, finishing 7.7% lower on the day at $3.48. The year-to-date performance of 8x8 is a gain of 46.2%. 2) American Capital Agency (NASDAQ: AGNC): Shares of American Capital hit a 52-week high of $30.74 in Wednesday's session. The stock was able to hold onto most of its gains, finishing 0.5% higher on the day at $30.70. The year-to-date performance of American Capital is a gain of 11.9%. 3) Cabot Oil & Gas (NYSE: COG): Shares of Cabot Oil & Gas hit a 52-week high of $60.64 in Wednesday's session. The stock was heavily sold into, however, finishing 4.3% higher on the day at $58.31. The year-to-date performance of Cabot is a gain of 54%. 4) Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX): Shares of Forest Laboratories hit a 52-week high of $37.12 in...

Titan Machinery Inc (NASDAQ: TITN) is expected to report its Q1 EPS at $0.22 on revenue of $260.49 million. Brown Forman Inc (NYSE: BF-B) is projected to report its FQ4 EPS at $0.64 on revenue of $731.85 million. J.M. Smucker Company (The) (NYSE: SJM) is projected to report its FQ4 EPS at $0.99 on revenue of $1.17 billion. Vail Resorts Inc (NYSE: MTN) is estimated to report its FQ3 EPS at $2.14 on revenue of $412.63 million. National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) is projected to report its FQ4 EPS at $0.27 on revenue of $365.14 million. RealD Inc (NYSE: RLD) is expected to post a Q4 loss at $0.15 per share on revenue of $51.93 million. Repligen Corporation (NASDAQ: RGEN) is estimated to report a Q4 loss at $0.03 per share on revenue of $6.20 million. Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp (NASDAQ: CIDM) is expected to post a Q4 loss at $0.21 per share on revenue of $20.53 million.

On Monday Fortis acquired Central Vermont Public Service for €470 million. This had negative implications for the buyer, with the utility giant down over 2%. Central Vermont was up over 40% reflecting the large premium being paid. Tuesday saw Ashland buy International Speciality Products for $3.2 billion in an all-cash deal. This was met with positive market sentiment, with the buyer up 11%. Also that day, KKR acquired Academy Sports and Outdoors for an undisclosed fee. This news gave only a small boost to the private equity firm, they were up 0.5%. Later on, it was announced that Intact Financial Corp. would buy the Canadian part of AXA for $2.6 billion. This did little for the Canadian insurer’s share price; it fell almost 1%, while shares in AXA were up 3% by market close. A hectic midweek saw Sealed Air purchase Diversey Holdings for $2.9 billion. This was unable to prevent the Sealed Air share price falling 7%. Lenovo bought PC...

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp (NYSE: BAH) is estimated to report its Q4 EPS at $0.28 on revenue of $1.51 billion. Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is estimated to post its Q2 EPS at $1.17 on revenue of $3.30 billion. Measurement Specialties Inc (NASDAQ: MEAS) is estimated to report its Q4 EPS at $0.54 on revenue of $76.80 million. Talbots Inc (The) (NYSE: TLB) is expected to post its Q1 EPS at $0.03 on revenue of $306.26 million. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc (NYSE: HOV) is expected to post a FQ2 loss at $0.51 per share on revenue of $263.00 million. Modine Manufacturing Company (NYSE: MOD) is estimated to report its Q4 EPS at $0.16 on revenue of $379.33 million. Oxford Industries Inc (NYSE: OXM) is projected to report its Q1 earnings at $1.00 per share on revenue of $208.77 million. FreeSeas Inc (NASDAQ: FREE) is projected to post a Q1 loss at $0.42 per share on revenue of $8.40 million.