Stock Market News March 17, 2009 3/17/09

The following is a summary of the top stock market news moving the market in today's trading action. I will highlight events that could potentially move the stock market in the next day or two and report things that I am watching.


Stock Market Report - 3.17.09

Building Permits: This morning we got building permits data that was a bit better then expected. Building permits, which are less volatile than the housing starts data, rose 3% in February to a 547,000 annual rate. Permits for single-family units rose 11% to a 373,000 rate, the largest percentage gain in 18 years. So this news was good news this morning.

Aloca ( AA ) - $5.56 Down 9.17% - Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today a series of operational and financial actions to significantly improve the Company’s cost structure and liquidity. The operational actions will reduce costs by more than $2.4 billion annually, reduce capital expenditures an additional $1.0 billion in 2010, and improve working capital by $800 million in 2009. The Company is reducing the quarterly common stock dividend from $0.17 to $0.03 per share, saving more than $400 million annually, and launching a public offering of common stock and convertible notes planned to yield proceeds of approximately $1.1 billion

Oil Prices - $48.38 - Oil going up toward resistance at $50.50 - If Oil starts trading above $50 for a few days, you could see a quick move toward $60. This would actually be good for the stock market as oil prices take the temperature of the economy.

Dow Jones 30 Leaders - Wal Mart ( WMT ), ExxonMobile ( XOM ), Home Depot ( HD ), Citigroup ( C ). XOM - Exxon Mobil to build tech center in Shanghai - HD - Home Depot up on the good housing data above.

General Electric ( GE ) - $9.77 Up 1.14% - GE Transportation Signs 47 Million Agreement with Trenitalia

Fed Meeting - Two day Fed meeting starts today, we will get a Fed statement out tomorrow afternoon at 2:15pm Est. This could be a market mover.

Today's Biggest Stock Market Gainers - Top 2009 Stock Gainers - Top 2009 Penny Stocks

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