Two Big Upgrades, Plus, Intel Guides…

On the fifth anniversary of
the Nasdaq’s all-time high, the index lost a point while the Dow was in the
green.
Oil is pulling back after making
highs the previous session. According to Fed Governor Ben Bernanke, a $10
increase .5% – .75% reduction in economic growth.

The Nasdaq made an all-time high on March 10,
2000, at 5048.62. In the past 5 years, Microsoft has lost 50% of its
value, Cisco, 73%, and Intel has fallen 50%. Strong during the
same period were teen retailers, including Urban Outfitters, +1465%, pet
suppliers, like PetSmart,  +775%. Restaurants and casinos were also
strong.

Jobless claims for the week ended 3/5 jumped
17,000 to 327,000–the highest level in 2 months. The 4-week moving average rose
5750 to 312,500.con claims 2.66 million. Wholesale inventories rose +1.1% in
January.

After the bell, at its mid-quarter update, Intel
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said they see Q1 revenue between 9.2 and 9.4, at the high end of expectations.
The company also sees gross margins slightly higher, at 57% vs. the 55%
expected. The stock traded up after hours.

Also after the close Sports Authority
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beat by 0.04 but
guided lower. KMart
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was upgraded to a ‘buy’ at UBS, who gave
a $160 price target. KMRT gained $7 after hours. UBS also upgraded Qualcomm
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to a ‘buy’ from ‘neutral.’ Tech Data
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beat by 0.07
and guided lower. Aeropostale
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beat by 0.02, ex-items.
eResearch

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lowered guidance to 12%-18% below the low end of the
range.

Urban Outfitters
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posted Q4 earnings rose 72%, and beat by
a penny. The company sited strong holiday sales.

An investment group which includes Cerberus
Capital Management is offering to buy Toys R Us for $5 billion.

Strong sectors were: Semis
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+1.39%    Utilities
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+0.97%    Drugs  
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+0.62%     

Weak sectors were:  Airlines 
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-2.79%    Natural Gas  
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-2.49%   
Oil Services

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-1.68%

Dow +45.89 10,851.51
Nasdaq -1.57 2059.72
S&P 500 +2.24 1209.75

The dollar was -0.13 at
81.50

Crude Oil was -1.13 at
54.25

Gold was +0.20 at 442.10

ce=”Arial” size=”2″ face=”Arial”>Volume was 1.5 billion on the NYSE and
1.78 billion on the Nasdaq

Market breadth was negative.

NYSE Issues
Advancing 1334 Up Vol 634
Declining 1983 Down Vol 760
1.48 1.19
Nasdaq
Advancing 1170 Up Vol 618
Declining 1906 Down Vol 1005
1.62 1.62

Stocks in the News

Children’s Place
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beat by 0.09. Revenues rose 97%
year/year.

ALTR raised revenue guidance for the quarter. JP Morgan upgraded the
stock

Bioge Idec’s
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general counsel resigned . A week ago, it was
revealed that he sold stock just prior to the company announcing it woudl
suspend Tysabri sales.

Biovail
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beat by 0.04 but guided lower for Q1 and Q2.

A Wall Street Journal article says iron ore prices may have peaked and
a glut may be on the horizon.  Major iron ore companies are: RIO, RTP and
BHP.

Brice Wightman