Plunge In Pending Home Sales Weighs Down Markets

On the upside

Morgan Stanley analyst William Greene expects the airline industry to recover in 2010 with increases in revenue per available seat mile as costs per available seat mile declines. Shares of United Air Lines (Nasdaq: UAUA), Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and US Airways (NYSE: LCC) all rose.

Ford (NYSE: F) reported a sharp 33% jump in auto sales for the month of December.

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network (NYSE: ANW) will acquire marine fuel supplier Verbeke Bunkering N.V.

On the downside

As part of a lawsuit settlement, H&R Block  (NYSE: HRB) will refund up to $19.4 million to Express IRA clients.

Spartan Stores (Nasdaq: SPTN) warned of weak third quarter results due to continued economic challenges.

Claymore Dividend & Income Fund (NYSE: DCS) announced that approximately 51.8% of its common shares were tendered for its in-kind offer through the expiration date.

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 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a point to 638.