Market News

The markets opened higher today and remained in positive territory after an encouraging economic report.

Founder Michael Dell and private equity firm Silver Lake Partners have agreed to buy Dell in a $24.4 billion deal that will load debt onto the PC-maker, and Standard & Poor's says the transaction could cost the company i...

Cardinal Health (CAH) announced that second fiscal quarter 2013 earnings were 93 cents per share, beating estimates of 85 cents per share. The company earned 81 cents per share in the same period last year. Net earnings ...

Mastercard (MA) announced its quarterly dividend of 60 cents per share, an increase of about 100% over its prior dividend in January of 30 cents. The company also said it would buy back up to $2 billion of its Class A sh...

AvalonBay Communities (AVB) was downgraded by Jefferies (JEF) from buy to hold with a price target of $135 after the company announced a disappointing 2013 outlook.

Bristow Group Incorporated (BRS) maintained its quarterly dividend of 20 cents per share. The dividend will be payable on March 15, 2013 to stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date.

New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) was upgraded by Morgan Stanley (MS) to overweight with a $15 price target as net interest margin has been holding up well and the company has undergone a restructuring of its debt.

Barclays said the fund manager would benefit from investor demand for equities.

Alon USA (ALJ) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (GS) to neutral from buy with a price target of $21 as the stock price has appreciated by more than 33% since December and may be due for a correction.

Emerson Electric Company (EMR) maintained its quarterly dividend of 41 cents per share. The dividend is payable March 11, 2013, to stockholders of record February 15, 2013.

Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) announced that earnings during the fourth quarter more than doubled due to a growing subscriber base resulting in higher revenue. The company earned $156.2 million, or 2 cents per share, during the...

Entergy (ETR) reports its fourth quarter earnings on Friday, February 8, 2013.

Laboratory Corp. Of America (LH) reports its fourth quarter earnings on Friday, February 8, 2013.

Optimism surrounds Moody's (MCO), as it gets ready to report its fourth quarter results on Friday, February 8, 2013. Analysts are expecting the company to book a profit of 70 cents a share, up from 43 cents a year ago.

In trading on Tuesday, hospital & medical practitioners shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 1.3%. Leading the group were shares of Five Star Quality Care (FVE), up about 3% and shares of Hca Holdings (HC...

In trading on Tuesday, general contractors & builders shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 1.5%. Helping drag down the group were shares of Ryland Group (RYL), off about 3.3% and shares of Toll Brother...

The much-touted BRICS outperformed the US stock market much of the past decade, but stumbled when the financial crisis hit, but as global economies slowly recover, MoneyShow's Tom Aspray examines the opportunities based ...

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) announced that it earned $510 million or 77 cents per share during the most recent fiscal quarter, up from $80 million, or 12 cents per share during the same period last year when it was unde...

The FTSE 100 made up lost ground in early deals.

Diary of a Private Investor: It doesn't matter right now which shares one owns, the important thing is to be in shares at all, says James Bartholomew.

The Justice Department filed civil charges alleging wrongdoing by Standard & Poor's in its rating of mortgage bonds before the financial crisis erupted in 2008.

Chen Qiang runs a Chinese shipbuilding company that expects to post a net loss for 2012 and whose $4.5 billion in debt is six times what it was three years ago. But Mr. Chen is unfazed.