Author: FX_Trdr

E*Trade Financial (ETFC) was downgraded by Wells Fargo (WFC) from outperform to market perform with a price target of $9 to $10, after it missed EPS estimates. Shares are lower by about 8.7 percent.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) was upgraded by Wells Fargo (WFC) to outperform from market perform, as the firm believes that the stock is oversold. Shares are higher by about a third of a percent.

Schlumberger Limited (SLB) maintained its quarterly dividend of 27.5 cents per share. The dividend is payable on January 11, 2013 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2012.

In trading on Friday, computer peripherals shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 0.3%. Leading the group were shares of Riverbed Tech (RVBD), up about 12.5% and shares of F5 Networks (FFIV) up about 1.5% on the day.

The Daily Ticker’s Henry Blodget talks to Gary Shilling about the state of the housing market.

US fell Thursday afternoon after Google (GOOG) posted weaker than expected results, and due to mixed economic data. Shares of Travelers (TRV) were higher after the company reported that net income more than doubled.

Philip Morris (PM) announced that third quarter earnings per share were $1.45, 5.8% higher than the same period last year, and beating estimates of $1.39. Excluding exchange rate fluctuations and acquisitions, net revenue increased by 3.4% mainly due to higher pricing.

As the saying goes, there are many possible reasons for an insider to sell a stock, but only one reason to buy — they expect to make money. So let’s look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC) announced a slim profit and higher revenue for its fiscal third quarter. The timeshare company said it earned $6 million, or 17 cents per share, versus a loss of $221 million a year ago.

EQT Corporation (EQT) maintained its quarterly dividend of 22 cents per share. The dividend of 22 cents per share is payable on December 1, 2012, to all holders of said common stock of record at the close of business November 9, 2012.