| Commentary Stocks May Move Sharply Higher At The Open - U.S. Commentary With traders expressing renewed optimism about the financial situation in Europe, stocks are likely to see early strength on Friday. The major index futures are currently pointing to a notably higher open for the markets, with the Dow futures up by 103 points. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article    Economic News U.K Consumer Morale Sinks For Fourth Month: Nationwide Confidence among British consumers fell for a fourth straight month in September as households' remained wary of a possible fallout from the Euro crisis, while rising unemployment and inflation squeezed their purchasing power. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article German Business Confidence Slips, But Less Than Expected In October Confidence among German businesses dropped again in October, but less than expected by economists, latest survey results from Ifo institute showed Friday. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article U.K. Budget Deficit Narrows More Than Expected U.K.'s budget deficit declined more than expected in September, suggesting that the government may succeed in lowering its borrowing in line with targets. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Earnings News Microsoft Q1 Profit Up Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) announced Thursday a higher first-quarter profit on the back of rise in customer demand throughout its product portfolio. Earnings were on par with analysts' estimates but revenues topped. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Altera Q3 Profit Slumps Altera Corp. (ALTR) said Thursday third-quarter profit dropped as a result of higher expenses and lower demand. The results fell short of market estimates. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Capital One Q3 Profit Edges Up Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) reported Thursday a rise in third-quarter profit thanks to a lower interest expense and provision for loan losses. The results surpassed market expectations. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Seagate Technology Q1 Profit Dips Seagate Technology plc (STX) Thursday reported a dip in first-quarter profit due to narrower margins offsetting the revenue rise. Adjusted earnings, however, beat the Street view, while revenues missed. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article SanDisk Q3 Profit Falls SanDisk Corp. (SNDK) Thursday said third-quarter profit declined year-over-year as higher product and operating costs offset the rise in revenues. Adjusted earnings topped the market view, but revenues were on par. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Chubb Q3 Profit Plummets; Cuts 2011 Operating EPS View The Chubb Corp. (CB) Thursday posted a sharp decline in third-quarter profit reflecting a steep hike in catastrophe losses. However, both operating earnings and net premiums written exceeded Street expectations. The company also issued its fourth-quarter operating earnings forecast, and trimmed its full-year operating earnings outlook. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Precision Drilling Q3 Profit Climbs Canada-based Precision Drilling Corp. (PDS, PD.TO) Friday reported a rise in third-quarter profit as a result of increases in activity and prices as well as asset additions driving revenues up. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article GE Q3 Profit Surges General Electric Co. (GE) announced Friday a surge in third-quarter profit led by a 19 percent rise in Industrial segment revenues. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Schlumberger Q3 Profit Drops Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB) posted Friday a slide in third-quarter profit reflecting a hefty one-time gain in the prior year. Adjusted earnings, however, went up year-over-year, but missed estimates. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Honeywell Q3 Profit Jumps Honeywell International Inc. (HON) Friday posted a jump in third-quarter profit thanks to a favorable tax rate and also higher revenues. The company also lifted its full-year proforma earnings outlook, and tightened its sales guidance. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Verizon Q3 Profit Rises Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) said Friday third-quarter profit jumped on the back of margin improvements and higher service revenues. The results topped the market view. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article McDonald's Q3 Profit Climbs McDonald's Corp. (MCD) Friday announced a higher third-quarter profit as a result of a 5 percent growth in global comparable sales. The results exceeded analysts' estimates. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Corporate News Santander Inks Sale of Santander Consumer USA Stake Worth $1.15 bln Banco Santander SA (BNC.L) Friday announced agreeing to sell a 25 percent stake in Santander Consumer USA to Sponsor Auto Finance Holdings Series LP for $1.00 billion, while another 10 percent stake was bought by Dundon DFS for $150 million. The transactions are expected to create a capital gain of $1 billion. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Groupon Estimates Price of 30 mln Share IPO Between $16 - $18/shr Groupon Inc. (GRPN) revealed Friday its estimated price in the range of $16 to $18 per share for its initial public offering of 30 million shares. Including the overallotment option, proceeds of up to $621 million are expected. (Oct 21, 2011) Full Article Broker Ratings Changes Robert W. Baird Upgrades Seagate Technology PLC (STX) To Outperform From Neutral With $17 up from $13 Price Target (Oct 21, 2011) FBR Capital Markets Initiates HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST (HT) At Outperform With $5 Price Target (Oct 21, 2011) Janney Montgomery Scott Cuts New York & Company Inc. (NWY) To Neutral From Buy With $3 Price Target (Oct 21, 2011) Todays WS Events Schlumberger Q3 11 Earnings Conference Call At 9:00 AM ET Schlumberger Ltd. (SLB) will host a conference call at 9:00 AM ET, October 21, 2011 to discus its Q3 11 earnings result. To access the live webcast, log on at www.slb.com/irwebcast To hear the live call, dial +1-800-230-1059 (US) or +1-612-234-9959 (International). A replay of the call can be heard by dialing +1-800-475-6701 (US) or +1-320-365-3844 (International) with access code 211522. (Oct 21, 2011) SunTrust Banks Q3 11 Earnings Conference Call At 8:00 AM ET SunTrust Banks Inc. (STI) will host a conference call at 8:00 AM ET on October 21, 2011 to discuss its Q3 11 earnings results. To access the live webcast, log on at www.suntrust.com/investorrelations To hear the live call, dial 1-888-972-7805 (US) or 1-517-308-9091 (International) with passcode 3Q11. A replay of the call can be heard by dialing 1-866-443-8027 (US) or 1-203-369-1125 (International). (Oct 21, 2011) Verizon Q3 11 Earnings Conference Call At 8:30 AM ET Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) will host a conference call at 8:30 AM ET on October 21, 2011 to discuss its Q3 11 earnings results. To access the live webcast, log on at www.verizon.com/investor (Oct 21, 2011) Air Products Q4 11 Earnings Conference Call At 10:00 AM ET Air Products (APD) will host a conference call at 10:00 AM ET on October 21, 2011 to discuss its Q4 11 earnings results. To access the live webcast, log on at www.airproducts.com/en/investors/earnings-releases/teleconference-information.aspx To hear the live call, dial (719) 457-2662 with passcode 9784651. A replay of the call can be heard by dialing (888) 203-1112 (US) or (719) 457-0820 (International) with passcode 9784651. (Oct 21, 2011) Dover Q3 11 Earnings Conference Call At 10:30 AM ET Dover Corp. (DOV) will host a conference call at 10:30 AM ET on October 21, 2011 to discuss its Q3 11 earnings results. To access the live audio webcast, log on at www.dovercorporation.com (Oct 21, 2011) Honeywell Q3 11 Earnings Conference Call At 9:30 AM ET Honeywell (HON) will host a conference call at 9:30 AM ET on October 21, 2011 to discuss its Q3 11 earnings results. To access the live webcast, log on at www.honeywell.com/investor To hear the live call, dial (631) 291-4830. A replay of the call can be heard by dialing (404) 537-3406 with access code 96818244. (Oct 21, 2011) | 
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