Mixed Markets Over Weak Retail Sales

The markets traded mixed during the midday with the Dow losing 9 points to 9352 over weak retail sales and an unexpected jump in jobless claims. Nasdaq added a point to 1999.

On the upside

Tower Semiconductor (Nasdaq: TSEM)  and Intersel (Nasdaq: ISIL) entered a joint development deal for a next generation power management technology.

Aegean Marine Petroleum (NYSE: ANW) reported higher third second quarter earnings that beat expectations by a wide margin despite a drop in revenue.

J.P. Morgan analyst Andrew Wessel upgraded Assured Guaranty (NYSE: AGO) saying that the company's losses from morgages are manageable.

 

On the downside

Fortress International Group (Nasdaq: FIGI) disappointed with lower second quarter revenue and income.

While URS (NYSE: URS) reported sharply higher second quarter earnings that topped estimates, the company forecast full year results that fell short of expectations. 

Xinhua Sports & Entertainment (Nasdaq: XSEL) swung to a second quarter loss.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 5 to 4 on the NYSE while decliners edged out advancers by nearly 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a fraction to 572.