Intel's (INTC) share buyback plan and encouraging earnings by several companies offered a boost to the investors' confidence. Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.81 percent or 96.68 points to 11,968.52, and NASDAQ advanced to 2,715.38, up 0.96 percent or 25.84 points. The Standard and Poor's 500 index was up 0.48 percent or 6.17 points to 1,289.52.
McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) reported net earnings of $1.24 billion, or $1.16 per share for its Q4. The company recorded an increase of 5 percent in its global sales, and a 6 percent hike in its consolidated revenues during this period at $24 billion. Shares of the company added 0.32 percent or $0.24 to $75.25 during the day.
Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) has reported Q4 profit of $605 million or 66 cents a share, up from $243 million or 27 cents per share it posted a year earlier. The company has recorded an increase of 83 percent in its North American revenue. It reported EPS of $0.58 beating analysts' estimates of $0.56 during the period. Shares of the company gained 1.56 percent or $0.61 to $39.80 after the news.
Navios Maritime Partners LP (NYSE: NMM) rose 1.20 percent or $0.23 to $19.43 as the company reported revenue of $42.5 million or $0.38 per share for its Q4. Analysts projected revenue of $40.52 million or $0.34 per share for the company. Earnings of the company grew by 76 percent during this period.
Sierra Bancorp (NASDAQ: BSRR) has posted net income of $1.6 million or 12 cents per share in its Q4, down 54 percent from $3.5 million or 30 cents per share it recorded a year ago. Analysts forecasted a profit of 13 cents per share for the company. The company's net interest income from deposits and loans fell 10 percent to $13.7 million from $15.2 million. Shares of the company were up 0.84 percent or $0.09 to $10.85.
Optical Cable Corporation (NASDAQ: OCCF) has reported net income of $1.5 million or 23 cents per share in its Q4. Sales of the company increased 31.1 percent to $18.5 million, compared to $14.1 million for the same quarter in FY 2009. Shares of the company jumped 37.03 percent or $1.37 to $5.07 after the news.
Polycom Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM) has posted net revenue of $1.2 billion in its Q4 FY 2010, compared to $967 million it earned during the same quarter in FY 2009. Net earnings were $68 million or 78 cents per share during the same period. However, shares of the company lost 1.54 percent or $0.68 to $43.40 during the day.