Mid-Morning Market Update: Markets Edge Lower; Morgan Stanley Earnings Top Estimates

Following the market opening Thursday, the Dow traded down 0.02 percent to 17,134.99 while the NASDAQ declined 0.10 percent to 4,421.71. The S&P also fell, dropping 0.10 percent to 1,979.50.

Leading and Lagging Sectors

Technology shares gained around 0.09 percent in today’s trading. Top gainers in the sector included RealNetworks RNWK, up 13 percent, and MedAssets MDAS, up 4 percent.

In trading on Thursday, telecommunications services shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.40 percent. Top decliners in the sector included Mobile Telesystems OJSC MBT, down 2.9 percent, and Internet Initiative Japan IIJI, off 2.8 percent.

Top Headline

Morgan Stanley MS reported better-than-expected results for the second quarter.

The bank’s quarterly profit jumped 47% to $1.9 billion, or $0.94 per share, from a year-ago profit of $1.0 billion, or $0.43 per share. Its adjusted earnings from continuing operations excluding DVA came in at $0.91 per share. However, its earnings excluding DVA and tax benefit were $0.60 per share.

Its revenue rose to $8.6 billion, from $8.52 billion. Its adjusted sales came in at $8.52 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.55 per share on revenue of $8.22 billion.

Equities Trading UP

Dresser-Rand Group DRC shares shot up 16.25 percent to $70.24 on Siemens takeover rumor.

Shares of Select Comfort SCSS got a boost, shooting up 9.59 percent to $20.80 after the company beat top and bottom line estimates.

The Sherwin-Williams Company SHW shares were also up, gaining 3.40 percent to $208.58 after the company reported a 13% gain in its second-quarter earnings and lifted its full-year earnings outlook.

Equities Trading DOWN

Shares of SanDisk SNDK were down 11.75 percent to $95.16 after the company issued a downbeat current-quarter revenue outlook. SanDisk reported its Q2 earnings of $1.41 per share on revenue of $1.63 billion.

AutoNation AN shares tumbled 6.56 percent to $56.84 after the company reported weaker-than-expected earnings for the second quarter.

Mattel MAT was down, falling 6.44 percent to $36.51 after the company reported a drop in its second-quarter earnings. Mattel’s quarterly profit fell to $28.3 million, or $0.08 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $73.3 million, or $0.21 per share.

Commodities

In commodity news, oil traded up 1.30 percent to $102.52, while gold traded up 0.39 percent to $1,304.90.

Silver traded up 0.36 percent Thursday to $20.85, while copper rose 0.06 percent to $3.22.

Euro zone

European shares were lower today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 fell 0.59 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index dropped 0.61 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index tumbled 1.21 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX declined 0.59 percent and the French CAC 40 dropped 0.47 percent while UK shares fell 0.45 percent.

Economics

Construction on new US houses fell 9.3% to an annual rate of 893,000 in June. However, economists were expecting a rate of 1.02 million.

US jobless claims declined by 3,000 to 302,000 in the week ended July 12. However, economists were estimating claims to reach 310,000 in the week.

US Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index rose to 23.90 in July, versus a prior reading of 17.80. However, economists were expecting a reading of 16.00.

The Treasury is set to auction 3-month, 6-month and 52-week bills.

Data on money supply will be released at 4:30 p.m. ET.

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Posted In: EarningsNewsGuidanceEurozoneFuturesCommoditiesTop StoriesEconomicsMarketsConsumer DiscretionaryLeisure ProductsTelecommunication ServicesWireless Telecommunication Services
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