Stocks Inch Higher Despite More Write-Downs
Stocks are modestly higher on Wednesday, after yesterday’s strong rally. Markets rose in Asia overnight and across Europe this morning, but a jump in the price of crude oil has been a drag during the U.S. session.
Ben Bernanke announced a new communications strategy for the Federal Reserve that will provide more frequent and clearer messages to Wall Street and the public.
United Auto Workers members ratified a four-year contract with Ford
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PowerRating) (read more).
Bear Stearns
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PowerRating) announced that it expects to write-down $1.2 billion in Q4, which would result in the company reporting a new loss (read more).
HSBC Holdings
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PowerRating) said Q3 profits will be higher than a year ago despite the company having to take a $3.4 billion write-down (read more).
Shares of E*TRADE Financial
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PowerRating) are surging (+18.6%) as traders speculate the company could be a takeover target in the wake of its recent decline.
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