A Peek Into The Market Before The Trading Starts

Pre-open movers US stock futures rose as the investors are awaiting data on jobless claims and producer prices. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 12 points to 11,056 and S&P 500 futures rose 1.60 points to 1,175.90. Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.50 points at 2,057. A Peek Into Global Markets European markets were mixed today. While STOXX Europe 600 Index has advanced 0.07%, London's FTSE 100 Index moved down 0.26%. Asian markets ended in the positive territory, with Japan's Nikkei Stock Average adding 1.91%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 moving up 1.60% and China's Shanghai Composite gaining 0.65%. Broker Recommendation Jefferies & Co. raised the price target on Helen of Troy Limited HELE to $27 from $24.50, as it raised its earnings estimates on the stock. It is maintaining its Hold rating. In the research note, Jefferies writes, "Leaving F2011E and F2012E (Feb) estimates unchanged, as upside to F2Q (Aug) results looks set to be reinvested into significant F3Q (Nov) advertising behind recently acquired personal care brands. Overall organic sales performance remains sluggish, with F2Q (Aug) declines in core Personal Care more than offsetting solid performance in Housewares." Shares of HELE gained 33 cents yesterday to close at $26.34, a gain of 1.27%. Breaking news

• Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. OZRK today announced that net income available to common stockholders for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 was a record $20,225,000, an increase of 141.0% from $8,391,000 for the third quarter of 2009. To read the full news, click here.
• Occidental Petroleum Corporation OXY today announced that its Board of Directors has approved significant changes to its executive long-term incentive compensation program that will substantially reduce the Company's overall compensation levels to be more in line with its peers. To read the full news, click here.
• The Board of Directors of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. TEG has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share on common stock, payable on December 20, 2010, to shareholders of record November 30, 2010. To read the full news, click here.
• Dril-Quip, Inc. DRQ today announced that it has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $27 million by Shell Offshore Inc. to supply drilling and production equipment for the Olympus Tension Leg Platform to be installed in the Mars field located in the Mississippi Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico. To read the full news, click here.

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