Stocks Opened Higher after GM, Boeing Results

U.S. stocks opened higher on Wednesday, boosted by strong quarterly results from industry heavyweights General Motors and Boeing. The Dow Jones industrial average lately rose 57.99 points, or 0.34%, to 17,275.10. The S&P 500 gained 4.86 points, or 0.24%, to 2,035.63. The Nasdaq composite added 16.21 points, or 0.33%, to 4,897.18.

General Motors’ third-quarter profit fell slightly, but the company rode strong North American sales to overcome $1.5 billion in costs from its deadly ignition switch recall. Its net income slipped 1.4 percent from a year ago, but still was $1.36 billion, or 84 cents per share. That compares with $1.38 billion, or 81 cents per share, a year ago.

The Boeing Co. blew past profit and sales estimates for the third quarter and raised its outlook. The company said it had net profit of $1.70 billion, or $2.47 a share, in the quarter, up from $1.36 billion, or $1.86 a share, in the year-earlier period.

Biogen Inc. (BIIB) beat third-quarter earnings expectations Wednesday and raised its full-year guidance, announced an 11% reduction in workforce. Biogen reported net income of $965 million, or $4.16 per share, up from $856 million, or $3.63 per share, in the year-earlier period.

Coco-Cola’s profit and revenue fell in the third quarter as the world’s biggest drink maker booked charges related to its cost-cutting push and took a hit from the strong dollar. For three months ended Oct. 2, Coca-Cola earned $1.45 billion, or 33 cents per share.

Western Digital Corporation said on Wednesday that it had agreed to acquire the memory chip maker SanDisk Corporation in a cash-and-stock deal worth about $19 billion.

Oil prices fell on Wednesday. Brent crude for December was down 30 cents at $48.41 a barrel by 1310 BST. U.S. crude futures for December delivery were down 65 cents to $45.64 a barrel.

About the Author

has written 15904 stories on this site.

Write a Comment

Gravatars are small images that can show your personality. You can get your gravatar for free today!

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Copyright © 2012 Nine Stocks