Banking Regulation Concerns Weigh Down Markets

Concerns about new banking regulations that could hinder profits continued to weigh on investors. The markets opened lower with the Dow losing 28 points to 10,360. Nasdaq dropped 16 points to 2249.

On the upside

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SOMX) resubmitted its New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration for its insomnia treatment Silenor with a decision expected by March 21.

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) reversed year ago losses to post a profit for the first quarter as sales rose and the auto parts maker lifted its full year revenue guidance.

NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) will replace Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: JAVA) on the S&P 500 index after Oracle (Nasdaq: ORCL) completes its acquisition of Sun.

On the downside

C. K. Cooper initiated coverage of Patterson-UTI Energy (Nasdaq: PTEN) with a Sell rating.

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) reversed year ago losses to post a profit for the first time in three years. The stock price dropped because the profit was due to a $1.25 billion payment from IBM (NYSE: IBM) to settle an antitrust lawsuit.

Capital One (NYSE: COF) swung to a better than expected profit but warned that growth of credit card business may be limited.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 3 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks fell 5 points to 623.

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