Markets Edge Lower; KB Home Posts Downbeat Results

Following the market opening Wednesday, the Dow traded down 0.05 percent to 17,047.26 while the NASDAQ dropped 0.07 percent to 4,505.49. The S&P also fell, declining 0.13 percent to 1,980.24.

Leading and Lagging Sectors

In trading on Wednesday, basic materials shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 0.31 percent. Top gainers in the sector included BHP Billiton plc BBL, up 1.8 percent, and POSCO PKX, up 1.7 percent.

Energy shares fell 0.43 percent on Wednesday. Top losers in the sector included Walter Energy WLT, down 6.7 percent, and Alpha Natural Resources ANR, off 5.3 percent.

Top Headline

KB Home KBH reported weaker-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results.

The Los Angeles, California-based company posted quarterly earnings of $28.4 million, or $0.28 per share, versus $27.3 million, or $0.30 per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Its revenue climbed to $589.2 million from $549 million. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.40 per share on revenue of $646.76 million.

Equities Trading UP

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals MACK shares shot up 10.01 percent to $7.91 on licensing deal with Baxter International BAX.

Shares of Acorda Therapeutics ACOR got a boost, shooting up 14.99 percent to $33.75 after the company announced its plans to acquire Civitas Therapeutics.

Starz STRZA shares were also up, gaining 3.96 percent to $30.75. Starz has retained LionTree Advisors to find a buyer, according to sources as reported by WSJ.

Equities Trading DOWN

Shares of GrafTech International GTI were down 17.72 percent to $5.99 after the company lowered its FY14 forecast and announced several executive management changes.

KB Home KBH shares tumbled 7.19 percent to $15.75 after the company reported weaker-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results.

Accenture plc ACN was down, falling 1.66 percent to $78.28 after the company issued a weak outlook.

Commodities

In commodity news, oil traded down 0.16 percent to $91.41, while gold traded down 0.07 percent to $1,221.20.

Silver traded down 0.56 percent Wednesday to $17.68, while copper fell 0.13 percent to $3.03.

Eurozone

European shares were mostly higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 gained 0.29 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index fell 0.16 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index surged 0.83 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX gained 0.18 percent and the French CAC 40 climbed 0.61 percent while UK shares rose 0.05 percent.

Economics

The MBA reported that its index of mortgage application activity declined 4.10% in the week ended September 19.

Sales of new homes rose 18% to an annual rate of 504,000 in August. However, economists were projecting a sales rate of 430,000 in the month.

The Treasury is set to auction 5-year notes.