Today marked intra-day 2009 for the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, although these might not have closed on the highs for the year. Also that won't be known until the formal 4:30-ish closing reset adjustment. This came on the heels of slightly less-bad jobs data and on some confusing retail gains. Unlike earlier Treasury auctions, today's 30-year Treasury Bond auction was a help to the markets as yields reached a high enough level that investors jumped in. Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:Dow 8,770.92 +31.90 (0.37%)
S&P 500 944.88 +5.73 (0.61%)
Nasdaq 1,862.37 +9.29 (0.50%)
Top Analyst Upgrades
Top Analyst Downgrades
Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) was a key winner today after Ken Lewis testified in front of Congress about his being pressured to do the Merrill Lynch merger. The big help came from an influential analyst upgrade. BofA shares were up over 9% at $13.11 in the final minutes of the trading day.
E*TRADE Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: ETFC) rose today on hopes that recent developments between it and hedge fund Citadel, a part owner and majority debt holder, would lead to more than just funding. There was even unusual options trading seen in the stock, and this one was up 5% at $1.67 in the final minutes of the trading day.
Mylan, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYL) traded higher on on reports that Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) may want to acquire the generic and branded drug company. Mylan shares were up almost 4% at $13.79 late in the final minutes and Pfizer shares were up 4% at $14.64 in the final minutes of the trading day.
QUALCOMM Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOM) issued mixed guidance showing stronger top-line numbers, but lower average selling prices. Shares managed to get back to flat and positive after being lower most of the day. This stock was up 0.2% at $46.17 in today's final minutes of trading.
STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ: STAA) was today's big winner. This one gapped up 100% after the FDA approved its eye injection system. Shares were trading up almost 60% at $2.38 in today's final trading minutes.
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