A confusing stew of economic reports led to a gentle, yet uncertain trading day. Consumer Confidence fell while Retail Sales showed gains resulting in a mixed market at the close. While the Euro continued to gain strength against the Greenback in a technically driven bounce. The DJIA, led by Caterpillar, advanced +12.85 to 10624.69, the tech heavy Nasdaq index gave back -0.80 to 2367.66, and the broad based S&P 500 eased lower by -0.25 to 1,149.99.
Caterpillar Inc (CAT): Gained 2.48% or $1.46 to $60.36/share after a Japanese maker of heavy equipment stated it expects China sales to surge.
Abbott Laboratories (ABT): A Citigroup downgrade to "sell" sent shares sliding 1.84% or $1.02 to $54.52.
Nrg Energy Inc (NRG): Fell 3.27% or 75 cents to $22.19/share on a cut to "neutral" at Bank of America.
Supervalu Inc (SVU): Acquisition rumors led to the stock adding 6.60% or $1.06 to $17.13/share.
Oil gave back 77 cents to $81.34, gold fell $1.20 to $1107.00 and the VIX index gave back 2.66% to 17.58.
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