Stock Market Wrapup Nov. 2nd
It was a roller-coaster ride for stocks to end the trading week, as Wall Street weighed a solid jobs report with soaring oil prices and a troubled financial sector that continues to battle credit concerns. The Dow bounced off its lows to close higher for the day finishing at 13,595. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq and S&P each rebounded from earlier lows to close at 2,810 and 1,510, respectively. Oil prices rose on the session to close the week at $95.58 a barrel for December delivery. Treasury prices and gold both gained in trading, with gold ending at $808.50 on the day. The dollar fell against the euro, but rose against the yen.
On the economic front, a report from the U.S. labor department showed that employers increased payrolls by a surprisingly strong 166,000 jobs in October, the biggest jump in five months, and nearly double what analysts were expecting. The improved labor report did little to boost Wall Street confidence, however, as investors continued to struggle with rising commodity costs, a weak financial sector, and news that the Fed may pause its rate cutting trend on inflation concerns.
In earnings news, Chevron (NYSE: CVX - News) reported a drop in third-quarter profit as tighter U.S. refining margins took a toll. The nation's second-largest oil company said net income fell in the quarter to $3.72 billion, or $1.75 per share, versus $5.02 billion, or $2.29 per share, last year. Quarterly revenue also declined to $55.17 billion from $54.21 billion a year ago. On average, analysts were expecting earnings of $2.07 per share on revenue of $58.29 billion. Chevron's stock was down -0.6% in trading.
Health insurer Cigna (NYSE: CI - News) said third-quarter net income increased to $365 million, or $1.28 per share, up 22% from $298 million, or 92 cents per share, a year ago. Adjusted income excluding special items was $323 million, or $1.14 per share, versus $268 million, or 83 cents per share, last year. Total revenue in the quarter was $4.41 billion, up from $4.14 billion in the 2006 period. Analysts were looking for EPS of 94 cents on revenue of $4.41 billion. Shares of Cigna were down -3.5% for the day, however, as the company predicted full-year 2008 earnings per share of $4.00-$4.20, missing analyst expectations of $4.23 per share.
NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX - News) reported a 279% increase in profit for the third quarter. The company announced Q3 net income of $258 million, or 97 cents per share, up from $68 million, or 43 cents per share, last year. Excluding one-time costs, the company said it earned $202 million, or 76 cents per share. Revenue in the quarter jumped to $1.2 billion from $602 million in the prior year. Analysts had predicted a profit of 73 cents per share on revenue of $823.5 million. The stock fell -0.5% on the day.
In other corporate news, several media sources reported that Citigroup's (NYSE: C - News) board of directors has called an emergency meeting for this weekend. Although the meeting's agenda was not immediately clear, it is widely speculated that the topic of future write-downs may be discussed as well as the future of CEO Chuck Prince.
By the BullMarket.com Staff
On the economic front, a report from the U.S. labor department showed that employers increased payrolls by a surprisingly strong 166,000 jobs in October, the biggest jump in five months, and nearly double what analysts were expecting. The improved labor report did little to boost Wall Street confidence, however, as investors continued to struggle with rising commodity costs, a weak financial sector, and news that the Fed may pause its rate cutting trend on inflation concerns.
In earnings news, Chevron (NYSE: CVX - News) reported a drop in third-quarter profit as tighter U.S. refining margins took a toll. The nation's second-largest oil company said net income fell in the quarter to $3.72 billion, or $1.75 per share, versus $5.02 billion, or $2.29 per share, last year. Quarterly revenue also declined to $55.17 billion from $54.21 billion a year ago. On average, analysts were expecting earnings of $2.07 per share on revenue of $58.29 billion. Chevron's stock was down -0.6% in trading.
Health insurer Cigna (NYSE: CI - News) said third-quarter net income increased to $365 million, or $1.28 per share, up 22% from $298 million, or 92 cents per share, a year ago. Adjusted income excluding special items was $323 million, or $1.14 per share, versus $268 million, or 83 cents per share, last year. Total revenue in the quarter was $4.41 billion, up from $4.14 billion in the 2006 period. Analysts were looking for EPS of 94 cents on revenue of $4.41 billion. Shares of Cigna were down -3.5% for the day, however, as the company predicted full-year 2008 earnings per share of $4.00-$4.20, missing analyst expectations of $4.23 per share.
NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX - News) reported a 279% increase in profit for the third quarter. The company announced Q3 net income of $258 million, or 97 cents per share, up from $68 million, or 43 cents per share, last year. Excluding one-time costs, the company said it earned $202 million, or 76 cents per share. Revenue in the quarter jumped to $1.2 billion from $602 million in the prior year. Analysts had predicted a profit of 73 cents per share on revenue of $823.5 million. The stock fell -0.5% on the day.
In other corporate news, several media sources reported that Citigroup's (NYSE: C - News) board of directors has called an emergency meeting for this weekend. Although the meeting's agenda was not immediately clear, it is widely speculated that the topic of future write-downs may be discussed as well as the future of CEO Chuck Prince.
By the BullMarket.com Staff
posted by Stock Administrator @ 7:43 AM
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