Stocks Setting To Open Mixed To Lower

A mixed to lower opening appears to be setting up
for stocks on Thursday.

Corning
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reported earnings
after the bell. GLW reportedly earned 9 cents a share for Q2. Earnings were 50%
less than what analysts expected, according to a survey taken by Thomson
Financial/First Call.

Electronic Data Systems
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earned 62 cents per share for Q2, meeting analysts’ expectations. The company’s
sales increased 9% for the quarter and EDS reaffirmed second-half numbers.

WorldCom Group
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announced a
decrease in Q2 profits. The telecom company said profits fell due to increased
competition. The company posted earnings of 20 cents, missing analysts’ expectations
by a penny according to Thomson Financial/First Call.

Long distance provider, MCI Group
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posted Q2 loss of 25 cents a share.

Varian Medical Systems
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reported Q3 earnings of 56 cents a share, beating analysts’ consensus by 6 cents
a share, according to a poll taken by Thomson Financial/First Call.

Oil services company Haliburton
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beat Wall Street’s Q2 views by 3 cents. The company earned 33 cents as profits
rose 175%.

Homestore Com
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earned 13
cents for Q2, beating average consensus of 11 cents based on information
collected by Thomson Financial/First Call.

Exxon Mobil
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announced that
Chairman and CEO L.R. Raymond will extend his plans for retirement.

Cell Therapeutics
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said Q2
losses increased, citing the rise in research expenses. The biotech company
posted a loss of 47 cents, in line with analysts’ expectations, according to
Thomson Financial/First Call.

The home of the "Slurpee,"
7-Eleven
(
SE |
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reported profits fell 15% for Q2. The convenience store said
earnings came in at 28 cents a share, in line with analysts’ expectations.

ABN Amro reiterated their Hold rating
on Openwave
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.

Foundry Networks
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was
upgraded by First Union to Buy from Market Perform.

Medical diagnostics firm CYTYC Corp
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was upgraded by Robertson Stephens from Buy to Strong Buy.

Credit Suisse First Boston downgraded
New Focus
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to Hold from Buy.

Netegrity
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was upgraded to
Strong Buy from Buy by Robertson Stephens.

ABN Amro upgraded Charter
Communications
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to Add from Hold and set a 12-month price target of
$25.

Texan Lance Armstrong is leading the
pack in the Tour de France with a five-minute lead and four legs to go!

Greg