TradingMarkets 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Friday

Stocks ended the day little changed ahead of a jobs report widely expected to show significant deterioration in the economy and a deepening recession.

The Dow closed down 27.24. The Nasdaq Composite finished ahead by 17.95. And the S&P 500 ended the day up 3.08.

Wal-Mart
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helped set traders in a selling mood early on Thursday as the retailer was among many who were slashing earnings forecasts in the wake of a disappointing holiday shopping season.

Spiking higher by more than 20%, shares of Sears Holding Company
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rallied above their December highs on Thursday on news that the company expected to beat analyst earnings estimates for the fourth quarter.

Shares of Whole Foods Markets
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rallied to levels not seen since November as traders and investors cheered news that private equity firm, Yucaipa Companies LLC, had taken a 7% stake in the company.

KB Home
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announces quarterly earnings tomorrow in the shadow of fellow home builder Lennar Corporation‘s
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recent upgrade to “overweight” by JP Morgan Chase & Company. Analysts are expecting an EPS loss of 1.24 from KB Home.

Sony Corporation
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brought video-watching eyewear while Microsoft
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showed off Windows 7 and a new search deal with Verizon Communications as the Consumer Electronics Show kicked off in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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