Strong corporate earnings helped the US market to start Friday's trading on a positive outlook despite discouraging GDP report. Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.32 percent or 39.05 points to 12,107.55, and NASDAQ Composite gained 0.80 percent or 21.99 points to 2,760.29. The Standard and Poor's 500 was up 0.61 percent or 7.91 points to 1,314.01 in the initial hour.
Hot Stocks:
Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) has received a $35 billion contract from the US Defense Department to build nearly 200 airborne refueling tankers. BA added 3.79 percent or $2.70 to $73.41 in the initial hours.
H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ) intends to acquire Brazilian food company Quero Alimentos. Heinz was trading at $738.61 in the first hour, with zero percent change from its yesterday's close.
CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS) has decided to end production of TV comedy show Two and a Half Men along with Warner Bros Television for the rest of the season. CBS gained 2.36 percent or $0.57 to $22.60.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ: DECK) gained 4.40 percent or $4.04 to $93.84, as the company reported growth in demand for its UGS brand shoes.
American International Group Inc. (NYSE: AIG) declared net income of $11.2 billion or $16.60 per share in its Q4. AIG was up 0.49 percent or $0.24 to $40.64 in the morning.
Arch Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: ACGL) added 1.71 percent or $1.50 to $89.06 as the company announced to invest nearly $1 billion in its common shares.
Unifi Inc. (NYSE: UFI) has named William L. Jasper as new Chairman of the company. Unifi added 1 percent or $0.19 to $19.13.
American Water Works Company Inc. (NYSE: AWK), Public Storage (NYSE: PSA), and Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NYSE: PBR) are scheduled to announce their quarterly results after the closing bell today. AWK gained 0.59 percent or $0.16 to $27.24, and PSA added 0.71 percent or $0.77 to $109.73. However, PBR was down 0.81 percent or $0.32 to $39.42 in the morning.
SandRidge Energy Inc. (NYSE: SD) has raised its full-year production outlook and decided to sell its property in New Mexico for $200 million. SandRidge jumped 11 percent or $0.97 to $10.15 in the first hour.