Midway through trading Wednesday, the Dow traded up 0.19 percent to 17,874.48 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.60 percent to 4,852.03.
The S&P also rose, gaining 0.28 percent to 2,094.48.
Leading and Lagging Sectors
On Wednesday, cyclical consumer goods & services shares gained by 0.34 percent. Top gainers in the sector included
International Speedway Corp (NASDAQ: ISCA) and
Xerium Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: XRM).
In trading on Wednesday, utilities shares fell by 0.71 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included Companhia
Energetica Minas Gerais (ADR) (NYSE: CIG), down 8 percent,
and Companhia Paranaense de Energia (ADR) (NYSE: ELP),
down 3 percent.
Top Headline
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (NASDAQ: WBA) reported
better-than-expected earnings for its third quarter, but the company missed analysts’ sales estimates. The company also raised
lower end of its FY16 earnings outlook.
Walgreen Boots Alliance reported net earnings of $1.1 billion, down 15.23 percent from $1.2 billion while earnings fell 14.4
percent to $1.01 a share from $1.18 a share in the year-ago quarter. However, on an adjusted basis, its earnings would have
advanced 14.7 percent to $1.3 billion and adjusted EPS 15.7 percent to $1.18. Street analysts were looking for earnings of $1.14 a
share.
The company's net sales in the third quarter were $29.5 billion, up 2.4 percent from $28.8 billion in the previous year quarter,
or 3.3 percent on a constant currency basis. This was lower than the analysts' expectations of $29.71 billion.
Equities Trading UP
Forward Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORD) shares
shot up 37 percent to $1.57 as the company reported a new three-year agreement with a global healthcare provider.
Shares of Versar Inc. (NYSE: VSR) got a boost,
shooting up 32 percent to $1.52 as the company reported that it has been awarded a new contract for critical environmental work on
behalf of Air Force Civil Engineer Center with contract ceiling of $500 million.
Nortek Inc (NASDAQ: NTK) shares were also up,
gaining 40 percent to $87.32 after the company agreed to be acquired by Melrose Industries for $86.00 per share.
Equities Trading DOWN
GlobeImmune Inc (NASDAQ: GBIM) shares dropped 42
percent to $1.05 after the company reported delisting and deregistration of common stock.
Shares of Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI) were
down 10 percent to $6.19. Vuzix priced 1 million shares at $5.75 per share.
Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc (NASDAQ: EGLE) was down,
falling around 16 percent to $0.37. Eagle Bulk Shipping reported proceeds of $85 million in sale of common stock.
Commodities
In commodity news, oil traded down 0.41 percent to $46.41 while gold traded up 1.17 percent to $1,374.60.
Silver traded up 1.85 percent Wednesday to $20.28, while copper fell 1.90 percent to $2.14.
Eurozone
European shares were lower today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 fell 1.67 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index dipped 2.22 percent, while
Italy’s FTSE MIB Index slipped 2.66 percent. Meanwhile the German DAX declined 2.02 percent, and the French CAC 40 dropped 2.07
percent, while U.K. shares fell 1.22 percent.
Economics
The MBA reported that its index of mortgage application activity gained 14.20 percent for the week ended July 1.
U.S. trade deficit rose 10 percent to $41.1 billion in May, versus a revised $37.4 billion in April. However, economists were
expecting a trade deficit of $40.2 billion.
The Markit Services PMI rose to 51.40 for June, versus a prior reading of 51.30. Economists projected a reading of 51.50.
The ISM non-manufacturing index gained to 56.50 in June, versus a previous reading of 52.90. However, economists were expecting
a reading of 53.30.
The Federal Open Market Committee will issue minutes of its latest meeting at 2:00 p.m. ET.
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