Courtesy of Benzinga.
Midway through trading Friday, the Dow traded up 0.94 percent to 17,357.73 while the NASDAQ surged 1.20 percent to 4,620.98. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.92 percent to 2,012.99.
Leading and Lagging Sectors
Technology shares jumped by 1.69 percent in today’s trading. Top gainers in the sector included Imperva (NYSE: IMPV), up 21.6 percent, and Spansion (NYSE: CODE), up 20 percent.
In trading on Friday, utilities shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 0.06 percent. Top losers in the sector included CPFL Energia S.A. (NYSE: CPL), down 3.3 percent, and Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo (NYSE: SBS), off 2.4 percent.
Top Headline
The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) reported stronger-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results.
The Oakland, California-based company posted quarterly net income of $90 million, or $0.68 per share, versus $136 million, or $1.03 per share, in the year-ago quarter. Its profit from continuing operations rose to $1.10 per share from $1.05 per share.
Its sales climbed to $1.35 billion versus $1.34 billion. However, analysts were expecting a profit of $1.03 per share on revenue of $1.33 billion.
Equities Trading UP
Imperva (NYSE: IMPV) shares shot up 21.64 percent to $39.51 after the company reported better-than-expected Q3 earnings.
Shares of Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) got a boost, shooting up 20.20 percent to $7.20 after the company reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings and lowered its fourth-quarter forecast.
GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO) shares were also up, gaining 12.91 percent to $77.06 after the company reported better-than-expected third-quarter results and issued a strong forecast for the fourth quarter.
Equities Trading DOWN
Shares of Aegerion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AEGR) were down 39.99 percent to $20.53 after the company reported a Q3 loss and lowered its FY14 revenue forecast.
Tempur Sealy International (NYSE: TPX) shares tumbled 11.65 percent to $51.87 after the company reported third-quarter results and lowered its outlook.
CommScope Holding Company (NASDAQ: COMM) was down, falling 7.96 percent to $21.40 after the company issued a weak Q4 forecast.
Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded down 1.10 percent to $80.23, while gold traded down 2.79 percent to $1,165.20.
Silver traded down 3.11 percent Friday to $15.91, while copper fell 0.49 percent to $3.05.
Eurozone
European shares were higher today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 rose 1.81 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index climbed 2.31 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index surged 2.84 percent. Meanwhile, the German DAX rose 2.32 percent and the French CAC 40 climbed 2.40 percent while UK shares surged 1.17 percent.
Economics
US consumer spending fell 0.2% in September, versus economists’ expectations for a 0.1% gain. US personal income rose 0.2% in September, versus economists’ expectations for a 0.30% growth.
The Chicago PMI surged to 66.20 in October, versus a prior reading of 60.50. However, economists were estimating a reading of 60.00.
The final reading of Reuter's/University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index rose to 86.90 in October, versus a prior reading of 86.40. However, economists were expecting a reading of 86.40.
Data on farm prices for October will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Posted-In: Earnings News Guidance Eurozone Futures Commodities Intraday Update Markets
