Stocks Inch Higher Despite Disappointing Retail Sales, Housing Data

Stocks closed fractionally higher on Wednesday, after retailers reported disappointing sales over the holiday period, and another gloomy housing report.

Berkhshire Hathaway
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agreed to buy a 60% stake in Marmon Holdings for $4.5 billion (read more).

Target
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is declining after the company cut its December same-stores sales expectations amid weak sales (read more).

LDK Solar
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is among the biggest gainers on the NYSE, while China Sunergy
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, Solarfun Power
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and Hoku Scientific
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are among the biggest gainers on the Nasdaq.

Market Snapshot

Dow

2.36 13551.69

NASDAQ

10.91 2724.41

S&P 500

1.21 1497.66

Strongest/Weakest Industry Groups

Strongest Industries

% Change

Weakest Industries

% Change
Silver
+5.85%
Department Stores
-2.77%
Computer Based Systems
+4.59%
REIT – Residential
-2.16%
Building Materials Wholesale
+4.23%
Home Furnishing Stores
-1.88%

Economic
News

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