LONDON (ShareCast) - - Stocks down again despite some positive corporate news-flow
- Jobless data disappoints
- Europe woes persist

US stocks closed lower for a second day running, hit by disappointing jobless data and worries over the European economy.

There were 386,000 new jobless claims in the US last week, higher than the 370,000 the market had been expecting.

The market consensus was looking for a reading of 370,000. However, the previous week's reading was revised higher to 388,000 from 380,000.

Investors were further depressed by figures showing the number of previously owned houses sold in March was 4.48m, significantly below the 4.61m market consensus.

The bad news offset a number of very positive statements relating to US companies.

Both France and, crucially, Spain completed major bond sales on Thursday.

Spain did creditably well given the recent news flow; selling €2.54bn in two and ten year bonds. The average yield on the 10 year securities was 5.743%, up on the 5.403% seen at a similar auction in January.

The French auction was less pretty as investors seemed to take fright at a possible François Hollande victory in the approaching presidential elections. France shifted €10.5bn in two, three and five year debt but this was less than the maximum target of €11bn. The longest maturity securities went at an average yield of 1.83%, compared to the 1.78% seen in March.

Companies

eBay rose over 13% on news of forecast-beating profits, especially at its PayPal division.

Qualcomm had sunk after the mobile phone chip maker revealed disappointing results and increasing production costs.

New York Times shares leapt following the company's better-than-expected first quarter sales beating analyst estimates.

CVR Energy also climbed higher after Carl Icahn agreed the terms of a deal that will see him proceed with his $30 a share bid for the petroleum refiner.

Human Genome Sciences (HGS) shares rocketed over 97% on the revelation of GlaxoSmithKline's bid for the firm, which HGS rejected, saying $13 a share was too low.

Other markets

The May West Texas Intermediate crude futures contract fell by 0.39% (40 cents) to $102.27 a barrel in NYMEX trading.

10-year US treasuries rose by 3.5/32 dollars, with yields at 1.96%.

S&P 500 - Risers
eBay Inc. (EBAY) $40.68 +13.41%
Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) $52.28 +12.16%
F5 Networks Inc. (FFIV) $133.95 +7.84%
Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU) $30.45 +6.99%
Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) $5.89 +6.32%
Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) $8.25 +4.52%
Marriott International Inc. (MAR) $39.47 +4.34%
Travelers Company Inc. (TRV) $61.72 +3.78%
Alpha Natural Res (ANR) $16.81 +3.77%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (GT) $11.14 +3.63%

S&P 500 - Fallers
First Horizon National Corp. (FHN) $9.22 -7.43%
Stanley Black & Decker Inc. (SWK) $72.80 -7.25%
QUALCOMM Inc. (QCOM) $62.60 -6.55%
Nucor Corp. (NUE) $39.98 -5.26%
Sprint Nxtel Corp. (S) $2.39 -5.16%
Rockwell Collins Inc. (COL) $56.03 -4.48%
Union Pacific Corp. (UNP) $105.36 -3.92%
EMC Corp. (EMC) $28.08 -3.64%
Apple Inc. (AAPL) $587.49 -3.43%
Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) $13.71 -3.18%

Dow Jones I.A - Risers
Travelers Company Inc. (TRV) $61.72 +3.78%
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) $38.19 +1.42%
General Electric Co. (GE) $19.14 +0.21%

Dow Jones I.A - Fallers
McDonald's Corp. (MCD) $95.16 -2.24%
Alcoa Inc. (AA) $9.75 -2.01%
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) $107.33 -1.72%
Bank of America Corp. (BAC) $8.77 -1.63%
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (DD) $52.56 -1.33%
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) $42.04 -1.05%
United Technologies Corp. (UTX) $80.35 -1.05%
Intel Corp. (INTC) $27.66 -1.04%
Boeing Co. (BA) $73.02 -0.94%
American Express Co. (AXP) $57.51 -0.92%

Nasdaq 100 - Risers
eBay Inc. (EBAY) $40.68 +13.41%
Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) $52.28 +12.16%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) $36.71 +3.23%
Nll Holdings Inc. (NIHD) $19.46 +2.58%
Dish Network Corp. (DISH) $31.47 +2.34%
Research in Motion Ltd. (RIMM) $13.50 +2.27%
Vodafone Group Plc ADS (VOD) $27.67 +1.15%
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADS (TEVA) $45.66 +1.11%
Infosys Technologies Ltd. (INFY) $47.14 +0.70%
Qiagen N.V. (QGEN) $15.70 +0.58%

Nasdaq 100 - Fallers
QUALCOMM Inc. (QCOM) $62.60 -6.55%
Apple Inc. (AAPL) $587.49 -3.43%
Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) $35.69 -3.17%
Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) $58.76 -2.60%
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) $14.70 -2.42%
Liberty Interactive Corp (LINTA) $18.45 -2.33%
Fastenal Co. (FAST) $47.45 -2.14%
Autodesk Inc. (ADSK) $40.56 -2.10%
Apollo Group Inc. (APOL) $35.17 -2.07%
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY) $68.16 -2.05%

NR

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