Midway through trading Friday, the Dow traded down 0.21 percent to 20,685.98 while the NASDAQ rose 0.02 percent to 5,915.21. The S&P also fell, dropping 0.05 percent to 2,366.77.
Leading and Lagging Sectors
On Friday, the utilities sector proved to be a source of strength for the market. Leading the sector was strength from Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. CWCO and FirstEnergy Corp. FE.
In trading on Friday, energy shares fell 0.36 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included PHI Inc. PHII, down 8 percent, and Denbury Resources Inc. DNR, down 3 percent.
Top Headline
BlackBerry Ltd BBRY reported stronger-than-expected earnings for its fourth quarter on Friday.
BlackBerry reported a $0.04 per share profit in the fourth quarter, marking an improvement from a $0.03 per share loss a year ago. Revenue for the quarter was $297 million (GAAP revenue of $286 million), of which 80 percent of sales came from Software & Services segment revenue. Analysts were expecting earnings at $0.00 per share on revenue of $289.3 million.
Looking forward to fiscal 2018, BlackBerry expects to grow its business at or above the overall market in the software business. The company expects to be profitable on a non-GAAP basis and to generate positive free cash flow for the full fiscal year.
Equities Trading UP
Akari Therapeutics PLC (ADR) AKTX shares shot up 20 percent to $8.42 after the company disclosed that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for Coversin.
Shares of Sorl Auto Parts, Inc. SORL got a boost, shooting up 16 percent to $3.79. SORL Auto Parts reported Q4 earnings of $0.43 per share on revenue of $82.9 million.
TRC Companies, Inc. TRR shares were also up, gaining 46 percent to $17.42 after the company agreed to be acquired New Mountain Partners IV, L.P. in a deal valued at $17.55 per share.
Equities Trading DOWN
DarioHealth Corp DRIO shares dropped 25 percent to $2.98 after the company reported a shelf offering of common stock.
Shares of Bioline RX Ltd BLRX were down around 21 percent to $0.913. BioLineRx reported an underwritten public offering of American Depositary Shares.
Akers Biosciences Inc AKER was down, falling around 18 percent to $1.75 as the company reported a $2 million private placement.
Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded down 0.18 percent to $50.26 while gold traded down 0.09 percent to $1,246.90.
Silver traded down 0.01 percent Friday to $18.21, while copper fell 0.97 percent to $2.65.
Eurozone
European shares were mostly higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 gained 0.12 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index rose 0.17 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index rose 0.38 percent. Meanwhile the German DAX gained 0.17 percent, and the French CAC 40 climbed 0.17 percent while U.K. shares fell 0.38 percent.
Economics
Personal income rose 0.4 percent in February, versus economists’ expectations for a 0.4 percent growth. Consumer spending gained 0.1 percent for February, versus estimates for a 0.2 percent growth
The Chicago PMI increased to 57.7 in March, versus 57.4 in February. Economists projected a reading of 56.9.
The final reading of University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index declined to 96.90 in March, versus a prior reading of 97.60. Economists were expecting a reading of 97.60.
The Baker Hughes North American rig count report for the recent week will be released at 1:00 p.m. ET.
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