The markets closed mixed with the Dow losing 37 points to 11,637 over reports that Portugal was seeking assistance for its financial crisis. Nasdaq added 4 points to 2707.
On the upside
Zacks analyst Tracey Ryniec wrote that Huntsman (NYSE: HUN) earnings surged more than 100% in 2010 and 2011 earnings should experience double digit growth.
American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE: AXL) announced on Friday that it assumed full ownership of the AAM Sona Axle Private Limited Joint Venture in Pantnagar, India.
MAKO Surgical (Nasdaq: MAKO) reported that thirteen RIO systems were sold in the fourth quarter raising the total number of RIO systems installed nationwide to sixty seven.
On the downside
A. M. Best downgraded the outlook of commercial insurers to Negative sparking concerns that American International Group (NYSE: AIG) may be downgraded.
iGATE (Nasdaq: IGTE) will pay approximately $1.2 billion to acquire a majority stake in Indian technology services firm Patni Computer Systems.
Wunderlich downgraded Quantum (NYSE: QTM) to a Hold rating.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 10 to 9 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 4 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased rose 3 points to 791.