Closing Bell: Dow and S&P up slightly. Mixed day, yet felt like a win

Posted Aug 15th 2008 4:01PM by Jon Ogg
Filed under: After the Bell, DJIA

Another low volume August trading day is behind us. Markets in the US responded rather well to economic data but falling oil prices and gold prices are beginning to take over in importance. Oil was down again and gold followed suit. There was generally still a mixed market most of the day. After what we have been seeing for longer than many care to remember we'd consider a mixed day a partial win. Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

DJIA 11,659.90 +43.97 (0.38%)
S&P500 1,298.19 +5.26 (0.41%)
NASDAQ 2,452.52 -1.15 (-0.05%)
10YR T-Note 3.852% (-0.04%)
52-WEEK LOWS
Top Analyst Upgrades
Top Analyst Downgrades

Mentor Graphics (NASDAQ: MENT) was down 25% at $10.41 in today's final minutes. Its buyout has fallen through. The cause: financing issues. Go figure.

SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR) was a real winner with shares up almost 16% at $94.51 in today's final minutes. The company was part of a large solar power supply pact with PG&E in California to supply power to thousands of homes.

NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) was a huge winner after none other than Warren Buffett disclosed he had taken a stake in the company. Shares rose 6.2% to $37.40 by the end of the day. See all Buffett holdings.

AMBAC Financial (NYSE: ABK) shares were up 30% at $5.95 late in the day. S&P actually removed the company from a downgrade watch even though the outlook remained negative. Imagine that, credit ratings agencies helping a company out. It's been a while since that happened.

Tags: ABK, Buffett, MENT, NRG, SPWR