Markets Higher Closing News 11/27/13

a US stocks finished positive ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday with the Dow logging its fifth straight day of gains amid light volume trading and a round of mostly upbeat US economic data. Technology and Industrials led gains on the S&P 500, while Energy and Utilities topped declines.  Gold and Oil are both lower amid a rally in the dollar. In US economic news, the Labor Department reported Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell by 10K to a seasonally adjusted 316K.  Economists’ had forecast first time applications to rise to 332K last week.  The four-week moving average for new claims, which irons out week-to-week volatility, slipped 7,500 to 331,750. A separate report showed orders for Durable Goods - items from toasters to aircraft that are meant to last at least three years, fell 2%, largely because demand for civilian and defense aircraft tumbled. Durable goods orders had increased 4.1% in September. Chicago PMI showed monthly growth in composite activity remains exceptionally strong, at 63.0 for this month's reading vs an even stronger 65.9 in October.  Strength is centered in new orders which are at a robust 68.8. The prior reading, at 74.3, was a 9 year high.  Production slowed in the month but remains very strong at 64.3 vs 71.1.Michigan Consumer Sentiment popped surprisingly higher, to 75.1 for the final November reading vs Econoday expectations for 73.3. The mid-month reading was 72.0 which implies a solid upper 70s level for the last two weeks which is the best pace since August. Market Indices/Statistics:Dow closed up 24.53 pts/ +0.15% to 16,097.33; 19 of the 30 Dow stocks closed higher.S&P closed up 4.48 pts/ +0.25% to 1,807.23, 8 of the 10 S&P 500 sectors closed higher. Nasdaq closed up 27.00 pts/ +0.67% to 4,044.75Technology was the strongest sector (+1.01%), Energy was the weakest (-0.65%)The VIX is up 0.10 to 12.91Gold is down 3.6 to 1237.8Oil is down 1.35 to 92.32Nat Gas is up 0.042 to 3.906Yen vs. Dollar is up 0.88 to 102.16 Euro vs. Dollar is up 0.0001 to 1.3572The ICE Dollar Index (USDX) is up 0.09 / +0.11%Top Headlines:Shares of Teen apparel retailer Tilly's Inc (NYSE: TLYS, $12.00) fell 24.43% today after posting lower than expected Q3 revenue following Tuesday’s close and forecast a much lower-than-expected profit for the fourth quarter, citing weak customer traffic amid increased promotions in the holiday season.Hewlett-Packard Co.(NYSE: HPQ, $27.36) surprised after the close on Tuesday by reporting stronger-than-expected revenue due to growth in its enterprise group, which supplies servers, storage and networking products to business.  Shares of HPQ, up 92% YTD, rose more than 7% in post market trading on Tuesday and held that bullish posture to finish 9.05% higher on the NYSE.  CVS Caremark Corporation(NYSE: CVS, $66.76) said on Wednesday it was buying Coram LLC, Apria Healthcare Group Inc.'s specialty infusion services and enteral nutrition business unit, for $2.1 billion.  CVS, which operates the No. 2 U.S. drugstore chain and the second-largest pharmacy benefits management (PBM) business, said Coram's infusion operations will help it provide cost-effective services to its clients.  Shares of CVS rose 1.01%on the news.  Markets are closed tomorrow for Thanksgiving.  Coming FridayU.S. Economic Reports:No releases scheduled. Earnings Friday:    Fannie Mae (FNMA) est. 0.60c; Charm Communications (CHRM) est. 0.09cHere at the NYSE - Friday, November 29At the open: Charitybuzz, a luxury charity auction website that raises funds for nonprofits around the world, will visit the New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) and ring The Opening Bell®to celebrate raising $100 million for charity to date. Since its inception in 2005, Charitybuzz has funded the work of more than 2,000 nonprofitsaround the globe.At the close:The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation will visit the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate the 66thAnniversary of the Marine Toys for Tots Program while reminding the public that it's once again time to help bring the joy of Christmas to America's less fortunate children.To mark the occasion, President and CEO Pete Osman will ring the NYSE Closing Bell.Please remember to check in with us every morning for the NYSE Morning Update! http://exchanges.nyx.com/parasnand-madho/Thanks and have a great evening!

Markets Mixed Closing News 11/29/13

a US stocks were mixed as the Dow and S&P gave back earlier gains in the shortened Black Friday session as investors primarily focused on traffic and sales updates in the retail sector.  Technology and Discretionary led positive names on the S&P 500 while Telecom and Industrials topped declines.  Crude Oil and Gold are rebounding from six- and near five-month lows, respectively, amid a weaker dollar.  In global economic news, Eurozone unemployment unexpectedly fell for the first time since February 2011, dropping to 12.1% in October from 12.2 in September.  Meanwhile, inflation has risen a preliminary 0.9% in November from 0.7% in October, but it still remains well below the ECB's target of just under 2%.In Asia,  Japan's "core" CPI, which excludes energy and fresh food, rose 0.3% on year in October, the first gain for five years and the biggest increase since 1998. Unemployment held steady in October, while manufacturing PMI rose in November from.  However, October industrial production improved just 0.5% on month and badly missed expectations.Market Indices/Statistics:Dow closed down 11.75 pts/ -0.07% to 16,085.22; 18 of the 30 Dow stocks closed lower.S&P closed down 1.43 pts/ -0.08% to 1,805.80; 8 of the 10 S&P 500 sectors closed lower.Nasdaq closed up 15.14 pts/ +0.37% to 4,059.89Technology the strongest sector (+0.46%), Telecomm was the weakest (-0.48%).The VIX is up 0.75 at 13.73Gold is up 13.1 to 1250.9Oil is up  1.10 to 93.39Nat Gas is up 0.026 to 3.921Yen vs. Dollar is up 0.15 to 102.44   Euro vs. Dollar is down  0.0018 to 1.3585The ICE Dollar Index (USDX) is flat.Top Headlines: In the retail space, Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT, $81.01, +0.10%) provided its usual early-morning update and announced that it had processed more than 10M transactions between 6 and 10 PM, and noted that their online site had nearly 400M page views on Thanksgiving Day.  Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT, $63.93, -0.75%) also issued a release that highlighted traffic and sales as among the highest it had seen in a single day.A unit of Document Security Systems (NYSE MKT: DSS, $2.13) which develops and integrates security technology, filed a patent lawsuit against Apple Inc. (AAPL, $556.46). The case centers on patents related to the use of wireless peripheral devices.  Shares of Document Security Systems rose sharply in post-mkt trading following the filing on Wednesday, and held those gains to finish today’s session 13.3% higher. Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN, $2.98) revenue fell while overall expenses surged, driving the Chinese social networking company to a wider loss in the third quarter while fourth-quarter guidance came in well below expectations.  American depositary shares of RENN fell 11.04%. The Australian government has rejected Archer Daniels Midland's (NYSE: ADM, $40.25) $2.6B takeover bid for GrainCorp on Friday, bowing to pressure from grain growers in a rare and surprising decision. GrainCorp shares plunged more than 20% in Australian trading, while shares of ADM slipped 2.99% on the NYSE. The week ahead:  Dec 2nd- Dec 6thThe coming week looks to be an active one ahead of the year-end holiday slowdown.  The economic calendar includes the ISM manufacturing index to begin the week, along with Friday's release of the November employment data in the US; the report is likely to be closely watched given ongoing discussion around a possible December taper.  Overseas the focus will be on November manufacturing surveys along with the ECB meeting on Thursday.  The corporate calendar is also fairly robust, with a large batch of sell-side conferences that could provide inventors insight into fourth quarter trends - while US auto sales and chain store reports round out the schedule.Coming Monday U.S. Economic Reports:  Markit PMI Manufacturing (Nov) at 8:58amISM Manufacturing Index (Nov) at 10:00amConstruction Spending (Sept/Oct) at 10:00am, Sept. consensus +0.5%, prior +0.6%  (no Oct. estimates) Earnings Monday: Streamline Health (STRM) est. (0.01); Ascena Retail Group (ASNA) est. 0.32c; ChinaEdu (CEDU) est. 0.14c ; Envivio (ENVI) est. (0.10) ; Gordmans (GMAN) est. 0.13c ; Keynote Systems (KEYN) est. 0.13c ; Krispy Kreme (KKD) est. 0.15c ; Thor Industries (THO) est. 0.70cHere at the NYSE At the open:On Monday, December 2, Vale S.A.(NYSE: VALE), a global leader in metals and mining, will visit the New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) in conjunction with the company’s investor day. This year’s Capital Markets event will feature a live webcastand press conference from 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm (EST). Discussions led by Vale executives, including CEO Murilo Ferreira and CFO Luciano Ciano, will showcase the company’s development and industry trends.To highlight the occasion, CEO Murilo Ferreira, accompanied by members of the company’s leadership team, will ring the NYSE Opening Bell.At the close: Executives and guests of Fibria Celulose S.A. (NYSE: FBR) will visit the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in conjunction with the company’s investor/analyst day.  Please remember to check in with us every morning for the NYSE Morning Update! http://exchanges.nyx.com/parasnand-madho/Thanks and enjoy the weekend!