TOP STORIES
US JOBLESS CLAIMS DROP, PRODUCER PRICE INDEX UP
Initial U.S. jobless claims drop by 14,000 to a seasonally
adjusted 351,000 in the week ended March 10, while the February
producer price index rises by seasonally adjusted 0.4% due to
higher gasoline prices.
CISCO TO BUY NDS GROUP IN $4B DEAL
Cisco Systems plans to buy UK video software maker NDS Group for
$4 billion, plus an additional $1 billion in debt, a purchase the
technology giant says reflects its increased strategic focus on
video.
APPLE SHARES TOUCH $600 LEVEL FOR FIRST TIME
Apple shares briefly rise above $600, the latest milestone in
their meteoric climb. Expectations for the company's smartphone and
tablet sales have some analysts predicting the stock could hit the
$700 mark.
US STOCKS GET A BOOST FROM DATA ON JOBS, MANUFACTURING
U.S. stocks inch higher after firm readings on the jobs market
and manufacturing activity provide investors with more upbeat
signals from the U.S. economy.
OIL CUTS LOSSES AS US DENIES RELEASE FROM RESERVES
Crude oil futures trim losses after a U.S. official calls
inaccurate a report that the U.S. would soon release oil from its
emergency stockpile. Nymex April crude oil trades 52c lower at
$104.91 a barrel.
SEC CRACKS DOWN ON PRE-IPO TRADING
The Securities and Exchange Commission brings charges against
two money managers, alleging they misled and overcharged investors
on funds formed to buy shares of Facebook, Twitter and other
social-media companies.
SEC-CITI MORTGAGE-BOND TRIAL DELAYED
Federal appeals court raises concerns about lower court's
decision last year to reject a $285 million civil settlement
between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Citigroup,
delaying a civil fraud trial expected to begin in July.
GREECE GIVEN MIXED GRADE IN REFORM EFFORT
A special European task force for Greece gives a mixed grade to
the country in its public reform efforts, saying progress has been
made in some areas but there is still much room for
improvement.
KARZAI ASKS US TO WITHDRAW TROOPS
Afghan President Hamid Karzai asks the U.S. to withdraw troops
from Afghan villages and confine them to bases following a shooting
rampage by a U.S. staff sergeant Sunday.
NOBLE ENERGY INKS $18B SUPPLY DEAL
Noble Energy reaches a 15-year deal valued at $18 billion to
supply Israel Electric with natural gas from reserves in a recent
offshore discovery.
SEARS PLANS TO CLOSE 62 MORE STORES IN FIRST HALF
Retailer says it will shut 43 of its Hometown stores, 10
hardware stores and all nine Great Indoors stores in the first half
of this year. The closings are in addition to the up to 120 Sears
and Kmart stores it already announced it will close. Shares up
3%.
======= DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES =======
GETTING PERSONAL
The Genealogy Of Active ETF Managers
Murray Coleman writes that while most actively managed stock
exchange-traded funds are still too new to judge, investors might
uncover some promising clues by tracing a fund's genealogy.
ELECTION 2012
Romney Banking on Swing-State Strength
Mitt Romney's stumble in the Deep South rekindles worries within
the GOP about his weak hold on the most conservative corners of his
party. But he is showing the most muscle in states that will
determine who takes the White House in November.
============ U.S. MARKETS ACTION ===========
DJIA up 42.84 points to 13236.94
NASDAQ up 18.82 points to 3059.55
S&P 500 up 7.94 points to 1402.22
10-year T-note 97 16/32 at 2.2798 yield
NYMEX Crude down $0.35 at $105.08/bbl
Dollar/Euro up 0.0525 at 1.30845