• Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) reported estimate-topping results of 84 cents a share, three cents above Zacks estimates of 81 cents, on revenues of $98.67 billion, slightly below estimates of $99.50 billion. Comparable sales eased 0.4% from last year. The firm raised fourth quarter and full-year guidance to a range of $1.08-$1.12 for the quarter and $3.57-$3.61 for the year

• Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) reported results of 63 cents a share, above Zacks estimates of 61 cents, on revenues of $4.1 billion, above Zacks projections of $4 billion

• Banking analyst Richard Bove strongly advised purchase of Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK) shares, saying the firm's multiple should be twice current levels due to growth prospects

• Motorola (NYSE:MOT) is considering sale of its Home and Networks Mobility division as part of its turnaround plan. Analysts value the unit at $3-$5 billion

• Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) said it agreed to acquire 3Com (NASDAQ:COMS) for $7.90 per share,

US stocks ended Monday with losses on fresh concerns that the current market levels are overblown.  A rebound in dollar against key foreign currencies sent commodities lower and financials fell as reports emerged the federal government may require Bank of America to raise more capital.  The group took another beating as influential analyst Richard Bove trimmed his ratings on a number of regional banks.  Homebuilders also led the market lower on reports the first time homebuilders' tax credit is unlikely to be extended.

The Dow Jones industrial average oscillated within a 200-point range and briefly touched the 10,000 mark, before some profit taking saw the index squandering the earlier advance and ending the day 104-points lower.  Technology shares, only sector to have recorded gains last week, fell out of favor and slid along with the broader market.  The technology-laden Nasdaq retreated 12.62 points, or 0.6%, to 2,141.63.  The CBOE

Weak global economic conditions and a downgrade of Well Fargo by prominent banking analyst Richard Bove spooked investors even as Morgan Stanley and Yahoo reported better-than-expected earnings.  The Dow Jones industrial average slipped below the 10,000 level yesterday as markets pulled back in the final hour of trading.

Bove of Rochdale Securities said earnings at Well Fargo (NYSE:WFC) were helped by mortgage-servicing fees rather than improving business trends, and trimmed his rating on the bank to “sell" from “hold."  However, Well Fargo and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), which reported its first quarterly profit in a year, were behind the market’s strength earlier in the session.  Bove also cited accelerating loan losses at the firm for the downgrade.  After Bove’s cut, FBR slashed its rating on the firm to "underperform," questioning Well Fargo's earnings quality.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell below the psychologically important 10,000 level, declining 92.12 points, or

Traders were back on the buying table Tuesday, adding to their holdings even as they remained glued to the Fed for its take on the economy, interest rates and inflation.  Banks and industrial companies led the advance as stocks zoomed to new highs for 2009.  Nevertheless, uncertainty remained if the Central Bank will offer any detail on an exit strategy. 

The 30-share Dow Jones industrial average finished higher by 51 points, or 0.52%, at 9,829.87. The broad Standard & Poor's 500-stock index gained 7 points, or 0.66%, at 1,071.66 and the technology-laden Nasdaq composite index gained 8.26 points, or 0.39%, to 2,146.30.  Treasury prices rallied after the government’s successful auction of $43 billion in two-year notes.

Meanwhile, dollar continued its downward spiral against other major currencies, sending energy and material shares higher.  Gold and crude prices also advanced.  Gold reached $1014 per ounce, up $12.50, and oil, after a

The $300 Trillion “Money Bang” Keith Fitz-Gerald and his team have just produced a groundbreaking report that shows how this historic “Money Bang” is gaining steam. You’ll find out why China is investing $200 billion in one company – and why it’s expected to gain 356%… Why the Dept. of Energy is “backing” one solar company – and why it’s 506% revenue jump is a “smidgen”… And why one recently IPO’d water company is headed for a 600% run. Just go here for details.

Most Americans will view China’s effort to dethrone the U.S. dollar as the world’s main reserve currency as one of the biggest economic threats that this country will have to face.

But the reality is that this tectonic shift in global finance – and the economic shockwaves that will result – could provide investors with some of the greatest profit plays they’ll ever see in …

U.S. stocks fell on Monday as concerns about the global economy’s health weighed on Wall Street, following a hefty sell-off in Chinese equities.

Energy shares led the decline after the sharp drop in China’s main stock index increased worries about a potential rebound in global energy demand and oil slipped below $70 a barrel.

Shares of Chevron Corp tumbled 1.2 percent to $69.81 and Exxon Mobil dropped 0.8 percent to $69.56. The S&P Energy index <.GSPE> was down 1.8 percent.

The Shanghai Composite index <.SSEC> fell nearly 7 percent to a three-month low on fears that China’s government is trying to moderate economic growth and choke off some speculation in its stock market by tightening bank lending.

“China’s decline is just scaring people,” said Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer at Solaris Asset Management in Bedford Hills, New York.

“The world is partially relying on China’s economic growth to bring us out of this recession, and given the

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

Uncertainty over the economic implications of the swine flu outbreak weighed on sentiments in Asia as benchmarks in the region fell the most in three weeks. Moods also soured after media reports said Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) and Citigroup (NYSE:C) were told by U.S. regulators they may need to raise more capital.  Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average sank 232.57 points, or 2.7%, to 8,493.77 points. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 1.9%.  Fears persisted that the swine flu epidemic could hurt the prospects of a global economic recovery.  A World Health Organization report suggested it was now too late to contain the virus. 

Yesterday's marketplace was a clear picture of risk-aversion.  As worries grew that the swine flu outbreak could take the form of an epidemic, fearful investors turned to safe haven prospects like Treasuries, yen and US dollar bets, as well as defensive healthcare and utility plays.  The

As stock markets attempt to notch up a sixth consecutive week of gains, the debate as to the longevity of the nascent rally rages on. The featured video material sees Steve Leuthold stating that the S&P 500 Index will rise to 1,100 this year, but Laslo Birinyi taking a bearish stance and advising that the “odds are not with you”. Similarly, Jim Rogers expects more “bottoms”, Nouriel Roubini claims markets to be “way too optimistic” and acclaimed Cazenove chartist Robin Griffiths is looking for a retest of the March 9 lows.

As far as the economic outlook is concerned, Martin Feldstain refers to the “faux recovery”, whereas Wilbur Ross and Abby Cohen comment on the slowdown in the econimic deterioration. Adding to the economic debate and related issues such as bank stress tests, the blame game, Goldman Sachs and commercial real estate, this week’s harvest

While the stock market indices are floundering with multi-year lows, “nationalization” was the key word spooking investor sentiment during the past few days.

Also on the video front, “hot-under-the-collar” discussions, featuring James Galbraith, Sheila Bair, Marc Gaber, Nouriel Roubini, Nassim Taleb and Richard Bove, took place on whether or not to nationalize large US banks.

David Reilly (Bloomberg) added the following perspective: “The nationalization debate is a smoke screen. We’ve already nationalized the big banks. Let’s just accept it and move on”. From across the pond, David Fuller said: “Politically … this is a case of [even more] damned if you do [than] damned if you don’t.”

In lighter vein, this week’s compilation