U.S. Produced Fewer Than Expected Jobs In October

U.S. stocks were little changed to close last week as U.S. data showed the economy created fewer than expected jobs in October. However, the unemployment rate declined to a six-year low of 5.8 percent.

The unemployment rate continues to improve, inching closer to the Fed's 5.4 percent to 5.6 percent target for the end of 2015.

The CBOE Volatility Index dipped 4.2 percent at 13.10 as gold, oil and other commodities rallied on Friday.

The Dow gained 0.11 percent, closing at 17,573.93.
The S&P 500 gained 0.03 percent, closing at 2,031.92.
The Nasdaq lost 0.13 percent, closing at 4,632.53.
Gold gained 2.85 percent, trading to $1,175.20 an ounce.
Oil gained 0.96 percent, trading at $78.66.

News of Note

October Nonfarm Payrolls rose 214,000, short of the 231,000 expected. Unemployment dipped to 5.8 percent from 5.9 percent in September.

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German Industrial Production rose 1.4 percent in September from August, short of the 2.0 percent expected.

Equities News of Note

ArcelorMittal SA MT reported its third quarter results on Friday morning. The company earned $0.01 per share, missing the consensus estimate of $0.11. Revenue of $20.07 billion missed the consensus estimate of $20.37 billion. Shares gained 1.70 percent, closing at $12.59.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ANF guided its third quarter EPS to be $0.40 to $0.42 on revenue of $911.4 million. These figures fall short of the consensus EPS estimate of $0.69 per share and revenue of $983 million. Shares hit new 52-week lows of $29.25 before closing the day at $29.50, down 16.63 percent.

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. SLXP announced accounting revisions showing sales of its drugs fell short of what the Street expected. At the same time, the same company announced the resignation of its CFO Adam Derbyshire. Shares lost 33.98 percent, closing at $91.47.

Bill Ackman speculated that Canadian Pacific Railway Limited CP may be interested in acquiring Norfolk Southern Corp. NSC. Shares of Canadian Pacific gained 0.38 percent, closing at $206.47, while shares of Norfolk Southern hit new 52-week highs of $114.40 before closing the day at $112.84, up 1.91 percent.

General Mills, Inc. GIS guided its second quarter EPS to be $0.75 to $0.77, below the consensus estimate of $0.88. Shares lost 3.59 percent, closing at $51.36.

Sears Holdings Corp SHLD reported it is considering a sale-leaseback deal involving 200 to 300 of its stores which will be sold to a newly created REIT. Shares surged 31.04 percent, closing at $42.81.

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Transocean LTD RIG said that it will delay reporting its third quarter results after announcing its earnings will include $2.76 billion in impairment charges. Shares lost 0.77 percent, closing at $29.69.

Joy Global Inc. JOY acknowledged it is being investigated by the SEC over its 2011 acquisition of Chinese-based International Mining Machinery Holdings. Shares gained 1.78 percent, closing at $54.78.

Quote of the Day

“I continue to anticipate that the headwinds associated with the financial crisis will wane. Monetary policy will eventually need to normalize." – Fed Chief Janet Yellen speaking in Paris, France.

Posted In: MarketsabercrombieAcrelorMittalBill Ackmancanadian pacificGeneral MillsGermanyJanet Yellenjoy globalNonfarm PayrollsSalix PharmaceuticalssearstransoceanUnemploymentvolatility index
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