JCP Penney, Blockbuster, Abercrombie Fall

123jump.com Staff
15 May, 2009
New York City

The Hartford Financial Services Group led gainers in the S&P 500 index with a rise of 11.5%. Agilent Technologies swings to a fiscal second quarter loss. Blockbuster Inc plunges as quarterly sales miss analysts estimates. J. C. Penney Company first quarter profit falls.

[R]11:30AM New York – The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc led gainers in the S&P 500 index with a rise of 11.5%. Agilent Technologies, Inc swings to a fiscal second quarter loss. Blockbuster Inc plunges as quarterly sales miss analysts’ estimates. J. C. Penney Company, Inc first quarter profit falls.[/R]

Of the stocks in S&P 500 index, 159 increased, 333 declined and 8 were unchanged.

FirstEnergy Corp led the decliners in the S&P 500 index of 11.6% followed by losses in Abercrombie & Fitch Co of 6.3%, in Office Depot, Inc of 3.9%, in Agilent Technologies, Inc of 3.7 % and in IntercontinentalExchange, Inc of 3.4 %.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc led gainers in the S&P 500 index with a rise of 11.5% followed by gains in Lincoln National Corporation of 8.6%, in Nordstrom, Inc of 4.6% and Capital One Financial Corporation of 4.2%.

Other Movers

Agilent Technologies, Inc ((A)) fell 3.1% or 58 cents to $17.75 after the scientific equipment maker said second quarter revenues fell 25.3% to $1.09 billion from $1.46 billion a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $101 million or 29 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $173 million or 47 cents per share a year ago.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co ((ANF)) fell 7.5% or $2.05 to $25.20 after the teenage apparel retailer reported first quarter sales fell 24% to $612.1 million from $800.2 million a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $26.8 million or 31 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $62.1 million or 69 cents per share a year ago.

Audiovox Corporation ((VOXX)) added 7.8% or 36 cents to $4.94 after the electronic products distributor said fourth quarter sales fell 11.9% to $115.7 million from $131.3 million a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $70 million or $3.06 per diluted share compared to net loss of $2.2 million or 8 cents per share a year ago.

Blockbuster Inc ((BBI)) declined 22.8% or 26 cents to $0.88 after the video rental chain said first quarter sales fell 20% to $1.12 billion from $1.39 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter fell 41.5% to $24.9 million or 12 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $42.6 million or 20 cents per share a year ago.

Compuware Corporation ((CPWR)) the productivity software developer increased 9.8% or 73 cents to $8.15.

Dynegy Inc ((DYN)) the electric energy producer dropped 5.0% or 10 cents to $1.88.

FirstEnergy Corp ((FE)) fell 11.3% or $4.59 to $35.7 a company that electric utility operator and investor was cut to “equal weight” at Barclays.

Heelys, Inc ((HLYS)) rose 4% or 7 cents to $1.85 after the sports products maker said first quarter sales fell 29% to $9.2 million from $13.1 million a year ago. Net loss in the quarter was $1.3 million or 5 cents per diluted share compared to net loss of $1 million or 4 cents per share a year ago.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc ((HIG)) rose 10.9% or $1.62 to $16.3 an insurance company said that the U.S. Treasury Department has provided preliminary approval for the company to participate in Treasury''s Capital Purchase Program in the amount of $3.4 billion.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc ((JCP)) slumped 4.8% or $1.30 to $25.35 after the department store chain reported first quarter sales fell 5.9% to $3.88 billion from $4.1 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter fell 79% to $25 million or 11 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $120 million or 54 cents per share a year ago.

Nordstrom, Inc ((JWN)) climbed 3.3% or 68 cents to $20.95 after the upscale department store chain said first quarter sales fell 9% to $1.71 billion from $1.88 billion a year ago. Net income in the quarter fell 32% to $81 million or 37 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $119 million or 54 cents per share a year ago.

Ship Finance International Limited ((SFL)) lost 4.7% or 48 cents to $9.58 an operator of oil tankers and bulk carriers first quarter revenues fell 21% to $96.8 million from $121.9 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter fell 29% to $42.7 million or 59 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $59.8 million or 82 cents per share a year ago.