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Toward the end of trading Wednesday, the Dow traded up 0.03 percent to 18,319.58 while the NASDAQ gained 0.19 percent to 5,147.24. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.07 percent to 2,158.61.
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Leading and Lagging Sectors
Wednesday afternoon, the energy sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from SM Energy Co (NYSE: SM) and Unit Corporation (NYSE: UNT).
In trading on Wednesday, healthcare shares fell by 0.5 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included Endologix, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELGX), down 12 percent, and Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR), down 12 percent.
Top Headline
Humana Inc (NYSE: HUM) reported stronger-than-expected results for its second quarter on Wednesday.
Humana posted adjusted earnings of $2.30 per share on revenue of $14.01 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $2.23 per share on revenue of $13.59 billion.
Equities Trading UP
Magellan Petroleum Corporation (NASDAQ: MPET) shares shot up 126 percent to $2.71 as the company reported that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Tellurian Investments.
Shares of Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE: GNW) got a boost, shooting up 31 percent to $3.60 after the company reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter profit.
Sizmek Inc (NASDAQ: SZMK) shares were also up, gaining 45 percent to $3.86 after the company agreed to be acquired by Vector Capital for $3.90 per share in cash. Sizmek posted a Q2 loss of $0.04 per share on revenue of $48.9 million.
Equities Trading DOWN
The Rubicon Project Inc (NYSE: RUBI) shares dropped 33 percent to $9.21. Although The Rubicon Project reported another beat quarter, the CY16 guidance came in well below expectations. Various analysts, including Citigroup, Oppenheimer, RBC Capital, Needham, Raymond James downgraded the stock.
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Shares of Cray Inc. (NASDAQ: CRAY) were down 31 percent to $21.59 after the company posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss and issued a weak sales outlook.
The Chefs Warehouse, Inc (NASDAQ: CHEF) was down, falling around 28 percent to $11.58 after the company reported downbeat Q2 results and issued a weak FY16 earnings outlook.
Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded up 3.26 percent to $40.80 while gold traded down 0.66 percent to $1,363.50.
Silver traded down 1.28 percent Wednesday to $20.44, while copper fell 0.68 percent to $2.19.
Eurozone
European shares closed mixed today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 rose 0.03 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index fell 0.17 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index gained 0.20 percent. Meanwhile the German DAX rose 0.26 percent, and the French CAC 40 declined 0.16 percent, while U.K. shares fell 0.17 percent.
Economics
The MBA reported that its index of mortgage application activity declined 3.5 percent for the week ended July 29, 2016.
Private-sector employers added 179,000 jobs in July, versus a revised 176,000 gain in the previous month, ADP reported Wednesday. However, economists were projecting a gain of 170,000 jobs.
The Markit Services PMI rose to 51.40 in July, versus a prior reading of 50.90. Economists expected a reading of 51.00.
The ISM non-manufacturing index declined to 55.50 in July, versus a previous reading of 56.50. Economists estimated a reading of 56.00.
U.S. crude stockpiles increased 1.41 million barrels for the week ended July 29, the Energy Information Administration reported. However, analysts were expecting a decline of 1.36 million barrels. Gasoline inventories declined 3.26 million barrels in the week.
Crypto Whales Are Loading Up — Are You?
New research shows the biggest crypto buyers are back. And this time? They could hold for the possibility that Bitcoin will surpass $100,000 in 2024. You don’t want to miss the next massive crypto bull run like we saw in 2020 and 2021. To know exactly what’s going on and what to buy… Get Access To Benzinga’s Best Crypto Research and Investments For Only $1.