Author: FX_Trdr

This sixth trading week of 2013 comes to a close with gas prices pushed to a 2013 high as Winter Storm Nemo finds the Northeast, threatening the region with record snowfall and power outages. Hi.

Discover (DFS) was upgraded by Credit Suisse (C) to outperform from neutral with a price target of $47 as the company deserves a higher valuation gven its growth potential. Shares are higher by about one percent.

Advance Auto Parts (AAP) was upgraded by JP Morgan (JPM) to overweight as the company is likely to continue gaining market share in a robust industry. Shares are higher by about 1.35 percent.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is leaving Washington after more than four decades, including as a congressman, federal budget director, White House chief of staff and CIA director who oversaw the operation that killed Osama bin Laden.

In trading on Friday, music & electronics stores shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 2%. Leading the group were shares of Radioshack (RSH), up about 6.4% and shares of Gamestop Holding (GME) up about 2% on the day.

Professional social network LinkedIn (LNKD) announced that profit increased by 66% to $11.5 million, or 10 cents per share, up from $6.9 million, or 6 cents per share, during the same period a year earlier. Revenue increased to $303.6 million from $167.7 million.

The Labor Department announced that first-time jobless benefits claims fell by 5,000 to 366,000 this past week. Initial claims for unemployment benefits dropped to 366,000 from 371,000.

Tractor Supply Company (TSCO) maintained its quarterly dividend of 20 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on March 12, 2013, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 25, 2013.

Akamai Tech (AKAM) was downgraded by Jefferies (JEF) from buy to hold with a $40 price target due to a difficult short term outlook. Shares are lower by about 16.6 percent.

In trading on Thursday, education & training services shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 5.9%. Leading the group were shares of Devry (DV), up about 21.2% and shares of Itt Educational Services (ESI) up about 11.1% on the day.