• DR Horton (NYSE:DHI) reported a fiscal fourth quarter loss of 73 cents, versus Zacks projections of a 27 cents loss, on revenues of $1.01 billion, which was inline with Zacks estimates.  According to Chairman Donald R. Horton, "Our net sales orders in the September quarter reflected a 26% increase compared to the prior year quarter. However, market conditions in the homebuilding industry are still challenging, characterized by rising foreclosures, high inventory levels of available homes, increasing unemployment, tight credit for homebuyers and weak consumer confidence."

• Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) reported disappointing third quarter earnings of 23 cents a share, missing Zacks estimates of 27 cents a share, as a 15% fall in revenues from a year ago generated revenues of $12.9 billion, below Zacks projections of $13.2 billion.  Nevertheless, CEO Michael Dell said early Windows 7 demand was proving correct his assumption that firms which had passed over Vista would upgrade

• Gap (NYSE:GPS) reported after the close second quarter earnings of 33 cents a share, one cent above expectations, as revenues dropped 7.3% from a year ago to $3.25 billion, versus estimates of $3.23 billion. The firm also said inventory per square foot measure fell 14% by quarter's end

• Boeing (NYSE:BA) shares responded to a report its Dreamliner 787 initial flight may occur in late to early November

• JM Smucker (NYSE:SJM) reported second quarter earnings of 92 cents a share ex-items, 12 cents better than expected, on revenues of $1.051 billion versus estimates of $1.04 billion. The company expects fiscal 2010 sales of about $4.5 billion versus consensus estimates of $4.55 billion, and earnings per share ex-items of $3.65 to $3.80 a share

US stock advanced for the third consecutive session on Thursday, helped by a rebound in overseas markets even as continuing weakness in the job market kept investors on a wait-and-watch mode.  Financials showed strength after American International Group said it expects to repay the bailout loans.  Stocks remained under pressure in the early trading but drifted higher through the afternoon as investors, encouraged by a positive reading on manufacturing front, chose to hunt for bargains.  However, volume remained light.   

US stock futures rose moderately Friday, pointing to a higher open on Wall Street as investors turn their focus towards Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke who speaks at the Jackson Hole conference.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 71 points, or 0.8% and the S&P 500 index added 11 points, or 1.1%. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) rose 20 points, or 1%.  On the New York Stock Exchange, advancing stocks beat

* JM Smucker (NYSE:SJM) reported fiscal fourth quarter earnings of $1.02 per share, beating estimates by 39 cents, as revenue rose 81% to $1.1 billion

* Chrysler announced its plans to reopen seven assembly lines

* E*Trade (NASDAQ:ETFC) announced plans to raise $400 million in a common stock offering and exchange $1 billion outstanding debt

* AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) said its board authorized a $500 million share repurchase program

* Wachovia raised its quarterly earnings expectations for Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), while dropping same for JP Morgan (NYSE:JPM) and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)

* A Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE:LGF) filing with the SEC revealed investor Carl Icahn raised his holdings in the company

* Watson Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:WPI) agreed to buy privately-held Arrow Group in a $1.75 billion deal

U.S. stocks declined for the third consecutive day after Standard & Poor's cut its credit ratings and outlooks for 22 banks and bellwether FedEx Corp's weak profit forecast reignited worries of a prolonged recession.  Nevertheless, consumer and technology stocks helped Nasdaq end the day higher with a 0.7% gain.

Pre-market futures suggest a flat opening as traders look for concrete signs of an economic recovery, amid fears of increased government interventions and a crushed economic rebound.

Commodities and financial shares led the decliners yesterday, but healthcare stocks rose after Democratic leaders began working on a healthcare overhaul that would make it mandatory for all Americans to have health insurance coverage.  Shares traded in a narrow range, swinging between gains and losses.  Among S&P industry groups, financials led the declining issues with a 2.2% fall.  Oil and basic materials both recorded a 1.6% fall.  Stocks of consumer services companies

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 15, 2009 - Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week's list includes Adobe Systems (ADBE), Best Buy (BBY), Carnival (CCL), FedEx (FDX) and J.M. Smucker (SJM). To see more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.

Every day, Zacks.com makes 4 stock picks available, free of charge. To see them, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3567.

The Week's Events

We will see initial second-quarter numbers with Adobe Systems (ADBE), Best Buy (BBY), Carnival (CCL), FedEx (FDX) and J.M. Smucker (SJM) reporting this week. Notably missing from the group are the investment bankers, the surviving members of which have changed to traditional calendar quarters.

Though there are five S&P 500 companies reporting, the earnings calendar is

There was a report out yesterday that said milk prices are expected to fall this year and next. The only thing is, the reason they give just do not make a whole lot of sense.

The USDA, in its survey of 30 cities spread across the country, reported an average price in August of $3.87 per gallon of whole milk, an increase of 1.8 % over July’s $3.80. So, what reasons are bring given for the upcoming decline?