Thursday saw the commodities up, market down and the dollar weak. With unemployment at a 26-year high and the fate of the auto makers still up in the air, Wall Street ended in the red. The major indices were down 2.9% on average.
Here a few of the day’s winners and loser:
Winners
UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH)
The company took in big bucks from Medicare-backed profits, which helped the stock gain nearly 10% on Thursday. Shares last traded at $23.49, a gain of $1.92.
Hess Corp (HES)
Rising crude prices coupled with rumors about possible production cuts helped drive the stock up 6.8% on the day. It closed at $47.71, up $3.02.
Liz Claiborne Inc. (LIZ)
The retailer had another good day as it continues to climb from the bottom. With shares trading on heavy volume, the stock gained another 6.6%, last trading at $3.22, a gain of 20 cents.
McKesson Corp. (MCK)
According to Dow Jones, the 6.35% gain came on the back of AmerisourceBergen Corp. (ABC) which reaffirmed its 2009 forecast. Shares of the drug wholesaler closed at $35.69, a gain of $2.13 on the day.
AmerisourceBergen Corp (ABC)
The drug wholesaler backed its 2009 outlook as consumers continue to turn to generics in the weak economy. The stock closed Thursday at $31.93, a gain of $1.74.
Losers
Apartment Investment & Management Co. (AIV)
Real estate operations were down following concerns that the growing number of job losses and weakening economy may negatively impact the number of apartments being rented in the coming quarters. AIMCO shares took a 20.7% dive, last trading at $10.15, a loss of $2.65.
Equity Residential (EQR)
Another real estate stock to get hit Thursday, shares were down nearly 20.5% a day after the company declared a 48 cent dividend. The stock closed at $27.43 a loss of $7.05.
Develop Diversified Realty Corp. (DDR)
DDR may be back to its old tricks, dropping over 20% on the day. The stock closed at $5.04, loss of $1.27 on the day.
Ciena Corp. (CIEN)
A disappointing fourth quarter combined with a dismal jobless report helped drive the stock down nearly 20% Thursday. Shares fell $1.51, closing at $6.05.
Kimco Realty Corp. (KIM)
Rounding out the losers is yet another reality company. Considering its battle against terrible unemployment numbers, the weak dollar and continued problems with TARP, it's not much of a shocker that the stock was down 18% on Thursday. It ended the trading day, at $14.91 a loss of $3.29.
Market Winners & Losers: Hartford Financial, Apache
First Horizon’s stock recovers
Market Winners & Losers: AK Steel, Lincoln National
