US wholesale inventories unexpectedly fell 0.8% to $383.57 billion in December, prompting analysts to suggest higher-than-expected growth in the economy in the fourth quarter. Wall Street was expecting an increase in December wholesale inventories by 0.5%. The revised November wholesale inventories have risen 1.6%, the largest upturn since July 2004.

In the last period of sharply rising prices (the late 1970s), Gold shot from $100 to $850. This gold bull began at $250 9 years ago, and Gold bug such as hedge funds manager John Paulson believes it may peak well above $2,125 an ounce before this one's over.

Goldman downgraded PetroChina (NYSE: PTR) from “neutral” to “sell.” PTR’s shares gained 3.25% to $109.76 at 1:08 P.M.

Goldman downgraded PetroChina (NYSE: PTR) from “neutral” to “sell.” PTR’s shares gained 3.25% to $109.76 at 1:08 P.M.

Goldman downgraded PetroChina (NYSE: PTR) from “neutral” to “sell.” PTR’s shares gained 3.25% to $109.76 at 1:08 P.M.

Morgan Stanley initiated coverage of Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG) with an “overweight” rating. DEG gained 2.90% to $76.98 at 1:08 P.M.

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) has lost nearly 10% of its market cap today after releasing earnings numbers last night. The stock is currently trading at $15.84. Electronic Arts (ERTS) reported earnings per share of $0.33 versus estimates of $0.31. Revenue was in line with Wall Street expectations.

In a Bloomberg story 2/9/10, Tropix Capital Management was quoted as saying that the global shortage of sugar may peak in the 3rd quarter. The sugar shortage is responsible for the highest prices in 30 years.

The Switched Digital Video (SDV) technology is likely to boom in near future as more and more large cable MSOs in the U.S. are gradually moving towards overall services convergence.

Analysts Jamie Sullivan and Michael Shlisky at RBC Capital Markets have lowered the price target for Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE: RBA) from $25 to $20.

Analysts at Jefferies & Co maintain their "hold" rating on Albany Molecular Research (NASDAQ: AMRI), while reducing their estimates for the company. The target price for AMRI is set to $8.

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets have raised the price target for Harman International Industries, Inc. (NYSE: HAR). The price target has been raised from $42 to $45.

Analysts at Jefferies & Co maintain their "buy" rating on ADC Telecom (NASDAQ: ADCT), while raising their estimates for the company. The target price for ADCT is set to $10.

Analysts at Jefferies & Co maintain their "hold" rating on SRA International (NYSE: SRX), while raising their estimates for the company. The target price for SRX has been reduced from $20 to $19.