| EBay wavers after 4Q report
Shares of online auctioneer eBay Inc. rose Wednesday ahead of its fourth-quarter report, as a Stifel Nicolaus & Co. analyst called the stock his "best short-term idea" -- but retreated in after-hours trading after the report's release. EBay shares rose $1.81, 6.7 percent, to close at $28.94 in advance of the earnings report and before Chief Executive Meg Whitman announced she would soon step down. In extended trading, the stock initially rose but then retreated to $27.50. The stock hit a 52-week low of $26.02 on Tuesday, as fears of a recession hurt stocks around the globe, despite a decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut the federal funds rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to 3.5 percent. In a client note Wednesday, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Scott Devitt said that though eBay is losing e-commerce market share, its competitive position is stabilizing in core areas including liquidation inventory, collectibles and difficult-to-find items, he said.
Stocks Backtrack On Earnings Misses, Data Slips
Small caps slipped, with the S&P 600 dropping 0.1%. A strong jump in transportation sector durable goods orders gave the sector a boost, with the Dow Transports showing a 1.5% gain. NYSE volume eased, but was still up 7%. Trading was 12% higher on the Nasdaq. Advancing issues led decliners by 3-to-2 on the NYSE and by a narrow margin on the Nasdaq. The Electrical-Parts Distributor group posted the best gain by midday, hoisted higher by Anixter International's (AXE) gap-up gain of 11.08 to 69.38. The 19% jump followed a Q4 earnings and sales report that topped expectations. The company reaffirmed its '08 profit guidance. Anixter has slumped since a steep run-up to highs in July. Tuesday's move punched the stock above its 50-day moving average to just below its 200-day line. The two averages inverted -- generally a bad sign for stocks -- early in December.
Bonds rise; Hedge fund rumor circulates
Treasury prices threw off early weakness and advanced Friday after a rumor that another hedge fund is in financial trouble circulated through trading rooms. "There are a number of names of hedge funds being bandied about as possibly being in trouble," said Tom di Galoma, head of Treasurys trading at Jefferies & Co. It is impossible to discern whether the stories have any basis in fact, he said. Problems at hedge funds in recent months have contributed to the massive declines on Wall Street, and in turn benefited the government bond market. Problems at two funds operated by Bear, Stearns & Co. last fall brought home to the markets the reality that the housing and mortgage crisis was spreading throughout the financial sector. Although the rumor was not verified, it affected the markets, sending the major stock indexes well below their best levels and pushing Treasurys higher.
SUBJECT: NR Jan.30, IDL ranked #1, proof of life! Posted By: cleareye
IDC may update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or changing market and business conditions. Known and unknown risks and uncertainties include: IDC's ability to manufacture its products with a sufficient level of quality and in volumes which satisfy market demand; the ability of IDC to establish direct and indirect sales channels; the ability of IDC to establish industry partnerships; IDC's ability to attract and retain key personnel; the strength and breadth of IDC's patents; and other factors relating to general economic conditions, specific industry conditions and IDC's particular situation. SOURCE: Imaging Dynamics Company Ltd. Ms. Michelle Naismith, Marketing Manager, IDC, 1-866-975-6737, mnaismith@imagingdynamics.com Copyright (C) 2008 CNW Group.
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