Closing bell: Oil & euro knock the Yanks!

Posted Apr 22nd 2008 4:25PM by Jon Ogg
Filed under: Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Brinker Intl (EAT), UAL Corp (UAUA)

Today, we can blame the market almost entirely on OIL and THE DOLLAR. Oil rose to a dime within $120.00 today before selling off and the dollar is becoming the PESO with the reading having hot $1.60 per EURO. Interestingly enough, the oil services stocks are not performing well in earnings season despite record prices. More importantly, today's stock market shows that the market is still in a state of flux, and it may have become a stock picker's market. Until this finally doesn't work, the trade is to buy when you feel worried and sell when you are feeling good. Below are today's unofficial market index closing levels:

DJIA 12,720.31 (-104.71; -0.82%)
S&P 500 1,376.00 (-12.17; -0.88%)
NASDAQ 2,376.94 (-31.10; -1.29%)
10YR-TBond 3.72% (+0.008%)
52-WEEK LOWS
MAJOR SHORT INTEREST

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) saw shares rise by after the company narrowly bear earnings expectations. The company is one of "stocks to double" by the recession end, and cost cutting and capacity monitoring did more goodwill today than the earnings. Shares were up by almost 7% at $20.90 in the final minutes of the day.

If you wanted one ray of brightness for single stock, it would be the Intrepid Potash Inc. (NYSE: IPI) IPO, which was already on fire after Jim Cramer gave his play book tout for the stock. With a 30,000,000 shares offering at $32.00, you can assume the over allotment was already taken. Shares were up at $50.56 in the final seconds of trading.

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) posted earnings yesterday that weren't that bad, but the guidance was lower and the fears that subscriber acquisition costs will rise further sent shares down by a whopping 23.7% at $30.00 at the close.

Syntax-Brillian Corporation (NASDAQ: BRLC) rose a sharp after shares were upgraded today, although the run is largely from short covering rather than a new trust in management. Shares rose 22% to $1.30 today.

UAL Corporation (NASDAQ: UAUA) saw shares get murdered after losses came in much wider than expected. These oil prices might make it cheaper for airlines to just ground their planes, fire the crews, and live off the interest from their cash while they still have it. Shares closed at $13.55, down a whopping 36% on the day. Get those loyalty miles in fast.

Jon Ogg is a producer of and editor for the "10 Stocks Under $10" weekly newsletter for 247WallSt.com.

Tags: BRLC, EAT, inthenews, IPI, NFLX, UAUA