Bulls Sapped

The markets are extending losses that started
yesterday after a disappointing consumer confidence report. This fifth
consecutive decline of sentiment is challenging the speculation of an economic
rebound next year. At 2 p.m. today, the Federal Reserve will release its “beige
book” which is expected to contain anecdotal evidence of further potential
weakness in the economy.

In the news today are Enron
(
ENE |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
, down
71.04%, and Dynegy
(
DYN |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
, down 7.10%, as they scramble to ink a takeover
deal amidst Enron’s cash-flow problems.

Leading sectors today are the Gold And Silver
Sector Index


$XAU
, up 1.71% at 52.33 and the Mexico Index

$MXY.X
, up 0.39% at 89.51.

The biggest losing sectors today are the
Airline Index


$XAL.X
, down 4.24% at 85.84 and the Japan Index

$JPN.X
, down 2.89% at 113.17.

From our point gainers list:

eBay
(
EBAY |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
is up 2.5% on half
average volume with no significant news.

Amerisourcebergen
(
ABC |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
is up 2.07% on
a third of its normal volume. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange will began trading
options on the stock today.

Citrix Systems
(
CTXS |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
is up 6.64% on
over 100% normal volume. The company announced a contract with Korea Cyberbank.

From our point losers list:

Isis Pharmaceuticals
(
ISIP |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
is down
9.28% on over 100% average volume. There is no significant news reported.

MedImmune
(
MEDI |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
is down 4.37% on
almost 100% volume on concerns over a possible delay of its cervical cancer drug
to the year 2008.

Finisar Corporation
(
FNSR |
Quote |
Chart |
News |
PowerRating)
is down
15.39% on over 100% volume despite being in line with earnings estimates.