Markets Fluctuate; Big Lots Profit Beats Estimates

Following the market opening Friday, the Dow traded down 0.08 percent to 17,066.27 while the NASDAQ surged 0.11 percent to 4,562.74. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.05 percent to 1,997.66.

Leading and Lagging Sectors

Technology shares rose by 0.22 percent on Friday. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included The9 Limited NCTY, up 34.8 percent, and Avago Technologies AVGO, up 8.3 percent.

In trading on Friday, cyclical consumer goods & services shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.20 percent. Top decliners in the sector included Kandi Technolgies Group, KNDI, down 8.8 percent, and Pacific Sunwear of California PSUN, off 6 percent.

Top Headline

Big Lots BIG reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings and raised its FY14 earnings forecast.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company posted quarterly earnings of $19.9 million, or $0.36 per share, compared to $18.1 million, or $0.31 per share, in the year-ago period. Its profit from continuing operations came in at $0.31 per share. The company had projected earnings of $0.24 to $0.30 per share.

Its net sales gained 1.2% to $1.2 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.30 per share on revenue of $1.2 billion.

Equities Trading UP

Criteo SA CRTO shares shot up 19.03 percent to $36.48 following a Les Echos report that Publicis has restarted talks to buy the company.

Shares of Veeva Systems VEEV got a boost, shooting up 15.63 percent to $28.86 after the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter results and issued a strong third-quarter outlook.

Splunk SPLK shares were also up, gaining 15.57 percent to $52.34 after the company reported upbeat results for the fiscal second quarter and lifted its forecast for the year.

Equities Trading DOWN

Shares of Kandi Technolgies Group KNDI were down 9.60 percent to $17.29 after the company announced that it has entered into an agreement for registered direct placement of $71 million of common stock and warrants.

Big Lots BIG shares tumbled 2.08 percent to $46.22 on Q2 results. Big Lots reported better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter earnings and raised its FY14 earnings forecast. The company also announced a new $125 million share-repurchase program.

Pacific Sunwear of California PSUN was down, falling 6.09 percent to $2.16 after the company posted in-line results for the second quarter and issued a weak forecast.

Commodities

In commodity news, oil traded up 0.72 percent to $95.23, while gold traded down 0.15 percent to $1,288.40.

Silver traded down 0.07 percent Friday to $19.60, while copper rose 0.37 percent to $3.16.

Eurozone

European shares were mixed today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 dropped 0.02 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index slipped 0.23 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index gained 0.41 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX fell 0.17 percent and the French CAC 40 rose 0.01 percent while UK shares gained 0.09 percent.

Economics

US consumer spending dropped 0.1% in July, while personal income rose 0.2% in July. However, economists were expecting a 0.2% rise in spending and 0.3% gain in income.

The Chicago PMI surged to 64.30 in August, versus a prior reading of 52.60. However, economists were expecting a reading of 56.50.

The final reading of the Reuter's/University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index rose to 82.50 in August, versus a prior reading of 79.20. However, economists were expecting a reading of 80.00.