The market fought off the bad economic numbers again to close the session up 2.8% on average. While all three of the indices finishing in the green for three of the last four days, commodities have been a mixed bag. Oil prices rose above $54 a barrel and gold fell to $937.
Here are today’s winners and losers:
Winners
SLM Corp. (SLM)
The stock bounced off its yearly lows as it finished the S&P 500’s big winner on Thursday. Shares gained 15.7%, or 56 cents, to close at $4.13 a piece.
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS)
A better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings report sent the stock up 15.2%, or $2.36, to end the day at $17.87.
General Motors Corp. (GM)
With nearly 7,500 of GM’s employees accepting buyout offers, the company’s stock ended the day 14.1% higher. Shares last traded at $3.41, a gain of 42 cents on the day.
Micron Technology Inc. (MU)
The biggest winner among the semiconductor sector, Micron shares gained 13.8% Thursday. The stock closed at $4.22, a gain of 51 cents on the day.
Leucuadia National Corp. (LUK)
Following sector trends, shares of the conglomerate rose 13.4%, or $1.90, to end the trading day at $16.04.
Losers
American International Group Inc. (AIG)
Facing continued outrage over its use of TARP funds and another possible subpoena by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the company saw its stock revert on last week’s gains, leaving shares to fall 8.3%, or 10 cents, to $1.10 a piece.
Citigroup Inc. (C)
Citigroup followed the banking sector lower, with shares losing 4.75%, or 14 cents, on the day. The stock settled at $2.81 a share.
Health Care REIT Inc. (HCN)
HCN fell 3.7% on Thursday, ending the session at $30.98 – a loss of $1.19.
Northern Trust Corp. (NTRS)
Northern Trust shares, which have seen lots of volatility in recent weeks, fell 3.2% to close Thursday’s trading session. NTRS last traded at $62.49, a loss of $2.08 on the day.
Regions Financial Corp. (RF)
A Fitch downgrade pushed the stock lower from the get-go, with shares falling 3%, or 14 cents, to close the day at $4.55 a piece.
Walgreen profits decline 7%
Market Winners & Losers: Eastman Kodak, American Capital
