Encouraging private jobs data failed to provide impetus to the US market as investors weighed the data with surging crude oil prices. All major indices started trading on a mixed note as oil prices crossed $100 per barrel mark following escalating tensions in Libya and Iran.
Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.07 percent or 8.51 points to 12,049.51, and the Standard and Poor's 500 lost 0.10 percent or 1.31 points to 1,305.02. However, NASDAQ Composite added 0.06 percent or 1.52 points to 2,739.14.
Hot Stocks: PIKE, SCG, CLSN, AAPL, MET, JOYG, AIG, AEGR, ASNA, TRMB
Pike Electric Corporation (NYSE: PIKE) has received a $275 million EPC transmission for SCANA Corporation (NYSE: SCG). Pike added 2.42 percent or $0.23 to $9.73, whereas, SCANA was down 0.25 percent or $0.10 to $40.15.
Celsion Corporation (NASDAQ: CLSN) has received the European Orphan Drug designation for its ThermoDox drug. Celsion gained 1.22 percent or $0.03 to $2.49 in the initial hour.
Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) is set to unveil the second version of its blockbuster iPad today. Apple added 0.34 percent or $1.20 to $350.69.
MetLife Inc (NYSE: MET) intends to sell 146.8 million shares to the public to finalize the Alico transaction by the end of 2011. MetLife slipped 4.30 percent or $1.97 to $44.07.
Joy Global Inc (NASDAQ: JOYG) reported a 34 percent increase in its Q4 net income to $102 million or 96 cents per share from $76 million or 73 cents a share it posted a year earlier. Joy lost 3.08 percent or $2.99 to $94.01.
American International Group (NYSE: AIG) has decided to sell of its stake in MetLife Inc to accelerate its repayment to US government. AIG added 1.72 percent or $0.63 to $37.21.
Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: AEGR) reported a Q4 net loss of $12.1 million or 92 cents per share. Aegerion was trading on its Tuesday's close of $14.84 in the morning.
Ascena Retail Group Inc (NASDAQ: ASNA) declared a two-fold increase in its Q2 net earnings to $42.5 million or 52 cents per share from $21.7 million or 28 a share it reported a year earlier. Ascena fell 0.67 percent or $0.21 to $31.06.
Trimble Navigation Limited (NASDAQ: TRMB) has acquired a suite of software solutions from Mesta Entreprenor AS. Trimble was marginally up 0.04 percent or $0.02 to $48.60.