Sluggish Opening

Stocks appeared set to open weaker
Friday.

AOL Time Warner
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said the
company is moving toward buying British magazine publisher IPC Media.

Kimberly-Clark
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announced the
company is lowering Q2 earnings to 81 cents a share. Analysts’ estimates for the
quarter were for 84 cents.

E-Loan
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said Charles Schwab
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has committed to provide the company with $5 million in new financing
through the purchase of convertibles.

Pharmaceutical companies Glaxo Smith
Kline Plc. and Watson Pharmaceuticals
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have settled a patent dispute
over the antidepressant drug Wellbutrin SR.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
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reported Q2 earning at 5 cents per share. According to Thomson Financial/First
Call analysts’ lowered estimates were for 4 cents a share.

RSA Security
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reported Q2
earnings of 17 cents. According to a survey taken by Thomson Financial/First
Call, analysts expected a profit of 18 cents.

ABN Amro reiterated its Buy rating on
AT&T Wireless
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.

Juniper Networks
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was
upgraded by Robertson Stephens to a Strong Buy from Buy.

Nautica Enterprises
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reported earnings for Q1 earnings at 9 cents a share, in line with analysts’
expectations based on a poll taken by Thomson Financial/First Call.