Stocks end narrowly mixed and in the middle of the day's range.
Stocks have twisted in two directions Tuesday as consolidation kicked
in following the Dow's 200-point run, to fresh year-plus highs, in the
previous session. Investors took a breather from a six-day winning
streak after Federal Reserve officals warned unemployment could stay
high because of a lackluster recovery.
In separate speeches Tuesday, two Federal Reserve officials said
historic zero-interest-rate policies remain necessary because the
outlook for the U.S. labor market remains grim, according to a report
on MarketWatch.
Crude oil closed down $0.38 or 0.5% at $79.05 a barrel. Gold gained
$1.10 or 0.1% to $1,102.50 an ounce as the dollar edged up from
15-month lows.
Bonds gained, pushing the 10-year yield down 3.48%, following a solid turnout for an auction of 10-year notes.
MBIA (
MBI) was among the leading decliners following a reported Q3 loss.
AIG (
AIG) rose after analysts at Moody's Investor Service projected
that the insurer will have adequate resources to repay the federal
government.
Priceline.com (
PCLN) hit a nine-year high after saying it saw an increase in customers booking airfare and hotel rooms.
Beazer Homes (
BZH) jumped after reporting a swing to Q4 profit.
-NYSE down 8.9 (0.1%) to 7,126.42.
-DJIA up 20 (0.2%) to 10,247.
-S&P 500 down 0.07 (0.01%) to 1,093.
-Nasdaq down 2.98 (0.1%) to 2,151.
GLOBAL SENTIMENT
Hang Seng up 0.27%
Nikkei up 0.63%
FTSE down 0.12%
UPSIDE MOVERS
(+) PCLN continues evening charge seen after co. blows past Q3 view, solid Q4 guidance.
(+) JASO beats with Q3 results.
(+) HBC reports profit ahead of year-ago period.
(+) BZH swings to profit.
(+) AIG gains as Moody's report says it expects company to repay gov't loans.
(+) CHNG revs beat, backs outlook.
DOWNSIDE MOVERS
(-) ERTS continues decline that followed mixed Q2 results, job cuts.
(-) FEED results below year-ago period.
(-) BCS says Q3 profit cut in half.
(-) PIKE swings to Q1 loss on lower revenue.
(-) EONC declines despite swing to profit.
(-) MBI continues evening decline after reporting wider loss.
(-) ENER misses Q1 estimates.
(-) AHR beats with earnings but gets going concern notice.
