Mid-Day Market Update: US Stocks Turn Higher; Talisman Shares Jump Following Announcement of Repsol Deal

Midway through trading Tuesday, the Dow traded up 0.61 percent to 17,286.00 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.15 percent to 4,611.99. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.57 percent to 2,001.06.

Leading and Lagging Sectors
In trading on Tuesday, energy shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 2.60 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included Talisman Energy TLM, up 47.5 percent, and Willbros Group WG, up 26.5 percent.
Cyclical consumer goods & services sector was the top loser in the US market on Tuesday. Meanwhile, top decliners in the sector included Kandi Technolgies Group KNDI, down 7.6 percent, and Beasley Broadcast Group BBGI, off 6.1 percent.

Top Headline
FactSet Research Systems FDS reported in-line earnings for the first quarter.
The Norwalk, Connecticut-based company posted quarterly net income of $55.9 million, up from $52.2 million, in the year-earlier period. Diluted earnings per share climbed to $1.32 from $1.19. Adjusted diluted EPS jumped 11.9% y/y.
Its revenue surged 8.8% to $242.7 million. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $1.32 per share on revenue of $241.44 million.
Equities Trading UP
Talisman Energy TLM shares shot up 47.56 percent to $7.56 following the announcement of Repsol deal.
Shares of Willbros Group WG got a boost, shooting up 27.68 percent to $5.12 after the company announced a new term loan facility with principal amount $270 million over 5 years.

Orange ORAN shares were also up, gaining 7.02 percent to $17.07 as BT Group PLC BT is in talks to acquire mobile operator EE.

Equities Trading DOWN

Navistar International NAV shares tumbled 11.61 percent to $30.98 after the company posted a loss in the fourth quarter.
Shares of Whirlpool WHR were down 2.19 percent to $179.34 after the company adjusted its full-year 2014 earnings forecast. The company expected FY2014 EPS of $8.00 to $8.20 per share, versus its earlier outlook of $9.40 to $9.90 per share. It projected FY15 earnings of $10.75 to $11.75 per share.
Exact Sciences EXAS was down, falling 3.49 percent to $26.00 after the company priced 4 million shares at $25.75 per share.

Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded up 0.54 percent to $56.21, while gold traded down 1.20 percent to $1,193.20.
Silver traded down 4.73 percent Tuesday to $15.78, while copper fell 0.71 percent to $2.86.

Euro zone
European shares were higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 climbed 0.67 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.27 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index jumped 2.13 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX climbed 1 percent and the French CAC 40 surged 0.46 percent while UK shares gained 0.86 percent.

Economics
The Federal Open Market Committee is scheduled to begin its 2-day policy meeting today.
The ICSC-Goldman Store Sales Index rose 3% in the week ended Saturday versus the earlier week.
US housing starts slipped 1.6% to an annual rate of 1.03 million in November. However, economists were estimating a starts rate of 1.04 million.
The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index declined 1.2% during the second week of December versus November.
The preliminary reading of US Markit manufacturing PMI slipped to 53.70 in December, versus a prior reading of 54.80. However, economists were expecting a reading of 55.40.