Stocks that are expected to trade actively in the U.S. market on Friday are: CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI), LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD), Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH), Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE), Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN).
Market Level
USA- DJIA 15628.53 (1.22%), S&P 500 1,773.43 (1.24%), NASDAQ 4,057.12 (1.14%)
Europe– FTSE 100 6,571.20 (0.20%), DAX 9,284.69 (0.30%), CAC 40 4,189.18 (0.03%)
Asia– NIKKEI 14462.41 (2.17%), HANG SENG 21636.85 (1.00%), KOSPI 1,922.50 (0.77%) SHANGHAI 2,044.50 (0.56%)
Commodities – Gold 1,259.60 (0.19%), Silver 19.805 (-0.62%) OIL 97.42 (-0.43%) CORN 441.75 (-0.28%), Wheat 583.00 (0.39%)
Currency- USD/JPY 102.10 (0.02%), GBP/USD 1.6341 (0.14%), EUR/USD 1.3561 (-0.18%)
10 year Treasury bond: 2.707 (0.004).
Economic and Market Update
U.S. market up – U.S. stock performed the best so far this year on Thursday after the decline in the unemployment insurance boosted confidence in the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average increased 188.3 points or 1.22%, to 15,628.53, the S&P 500 added 21.79 points or 1.24% to 1,773.43 and the Nasdaq Composite surged 45.57 points or 1.14%, to 4,057.122.
European market up – European shared edged up higher on the second day of gains fueled by the steelmaker Arcelor Mittal, and also the optimism that jobs data of the United States would be better. The FTSEurofirst 300 increased 0.1% at 1,291.22 at 0855 GMT, which is the biggest daily gain since mid December.
Asian markets up – Japan’s Nikkei surged 2.2% on Friday rising from the four month low hit earlier this week. Investors were optimistic on the upcoming job report later in the day from the U.S. The Hang Seng Index ended 1% up at 21,636.85 in its biggest one-day rise since Jan. 8. The China Enterprises Index of the top Chinese listings in Hong Kong surged 1.1%.
Stocks to watch
CIGNA Corporation (NYSE:CI)
Cigna is expected to report its fourth quarter earnings of $1.49 per share on revenue of $7.35 billion. Shares of the company jumped 3.78% to $88.60 in after hours trading.
LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD)
LinkedIn posted a better fourth quarter results, but gave a weaker outlook for the upcoming quarter. The shares dropped 8.48% to $204.50, in the after hours trading. For the quarter, LinkedIn earned $3.8 million or 3 cents per share, a drop of 67% from $11.5 million, or 10 cents per share, in the previous year.
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH)
Analysts are estimating Laboratory Corp of America Holdings to earn $1.66 per share on revenue of $1.45 billion in the fourth quarter. Shares of the company surged 0.33% to $90.62, in after-hours trading. Recently, analysts at Maxim Group initiated coverage on the shares of the company. Laboratory Corp. presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $99.48.
Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE)
Expedia posted better than expected fourth quarter results. Shares of the company surged 13.14% to $73.70 in after-hours trading. Revenue for the fourth quarter came in at $1.15 billion exceeding the consensus estimates of $1.14 billion.
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN)
Wyndham Worldwide is expected to post fourth quarter earnings of $0.73 per share on revenue of $1.17 billion. Stock of the company surged 1.34% to $73.35 in after-hours trading.
