3:30 pm : Stocks continue to trade sideways going into the close as investors await the release of another notable earnings report, this time from Genentech (DNA 92.44 -0.22). While reports don't really begin to pick up until next week, the focus will now shift more toward upcoming reports. Be that as it may, DNA's report -- no matter how good/bad -- is also (like AA's report) not expected to be representative of the overall reporting period; our expectations call for aggregate operating earnings for the S&P 500 to be up about 13% over the previous year.BTK +0.2% DJ30 -25.45
Skip the Butter. Cooking with canola or olive oil may reduce heart disease risk. Just remember that even these "good" fats are loaded with calories, so use them in moderation.
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JESSICA'S DIVA DEMANDS
Jessica Simpson, 25, likes to act clueless, but she can swing her celebrity weight like a pro. According to a studio source, weeks before the press tour for The Dukes of Hazzard began, "we were bombarded with a six-page pamphlet of demands for Jessica from the office of her dad, Joe Simpson." Among Jessica's requests: paid accommodations for her hairstylist and assistant in the same hotel as Jessica; a wardrobe budget estimated in the thousands of dollars; cases of Evian water; and paid private... JEN FREAKS OVER ANGELINA'S NEW BABY JULIA STILES, GWYNETH PALTROW AND MORE!
Senators Probe Alito's Record, Judgment Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito looks on during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
12:30 pm PT Bally Fitness files counterclaim against Pardus and Liberation seeking declaration as to whether dissidents have triggered its stockholder rights plan (BFT) 6.97 +0.09 : Co announces�that, after engaging in extensive settlement negotiations with hedge fund Pardus European Special Opportunities Master Fund� and its principals, settlement negotiations have broken down over their unacceptable demands, forcing the co to seek legal remedies. Co said that it has made a sincere effort to avoid engaging in a proxy contest with Pardus and Liberation, another hedge fund engaged in a proxy contest with the co. The co said that despite its attempts to respond to Pardus by adding two of Pardus' nominees to the co slate, it has now determined that it must take appropriate legal action to protect the rights of its other shareholders in light of increasing evidence that Pardus and Liberation are working together to wrest control of the co without paying a control premium.
12:12 pm PT Earnings Calendar : Today after the close look for the following companies to report: EXFO, DNA, IDWK, and�OXM.� Tomorrow before the open look for INFY, MTB, PRAI, and SNX to report.
11:36 am PT Mattson: Summary of presentation at Needham conference (MTSN) 11.17 -0.06 : Beyond growing mkt share, co�said they are trying to expand their TAMs.�Co commented�that they are going to continue to improve driving profitability. Co�also noted�they are very much in line with respect to IDM vs foundry. Co has eight consecutive qtrs of profitability.�They�also�said that they see�new emerging mkts from regional distributors.