Despite some crummy housing data and some less optimistic jobs data, the markets soared higher today. Even higher energy prices based on lower inventories failed to sour the mood of the bulls. A 2% correction yesterday was enough for the buying opportunity crowd. A strong 7-Year Treasury auction sealed the fate of the day after investors bought yield. Today could have even been added window dressing as tomorrow is the month-end.
Here were the unofficial closing bell levels:
Dow 8,403.80 +103.78 (1.25%)
S&P 500 906.83 +13.77 (1.54%)
Nasdaq 1,751.79 +20.71 (1.20%)
Top Analyst Calls
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) announced that it would exchange up to 200 million shares of common stock in exchange for multiple classes of its preferred shares. Shares were up 1% at $11.04 late in the day.
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBOU) continued its mega-run as shares hit new 52-week highs today. Shares were up over 15% at $6.83 late in the day.
General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM) is getting closer and closer to what is the obvious bankruptcy. This morning came the news that GM's bondholders were now accepting a new better deal than what had been rejected, but the word is now that shareholders of common stock will get zeroed-out and that the new-GM won't be public for 6 to 18 months. Shares were down 1% at $1.14 late in the day.
Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) did come out with a warnings as the market had been speculating about. The good news is that the warnings was not as bad as many had expected. Shares were up 1.5% at $52.55 late in the day.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced that it now has 30 million global Xbox 360 units sold. It also has 20 million Xbox LIVE users. This was ahead of next week's E3 conference. Shares were up 2% at $20.54 late in the day.
Revlon Inc. (NYSE: REV) saw a rather large slide today despite the market rally. The cosmetics and women's care products company said it was firing 400 workers due to the slowdown and that earnings would be weak this quarter. Shares were down over 16% at $4.95 late in the day.
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