Stocks Close Flat As Bonds Fall

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Major indexes close down fractionally across the board.

Worries about housing data and a hike in long-term interest rates lead to investor concern.

Crude oil futures closed down almost 2%, despite an unexpected decline in inventories; warm weather forecasts for the Northeast helped to bring oil prices lower.

Gold futures closed up for the day, buoyed by the Dollar's struggle against the Euro and a broad metals advance.

Barry James from James Advantage Funds said, "The stock market caught a case of the flu from the bond market today.  Economic news wasn't particularly good, and the sale of 2 year treasuries did not go well because people are anticipating the the Fed hike next week.  The price of oil fell too, and I think there are still concerns about what is going to happen in the Middle East.  We are sluggish in terms of the market, and that probably won't pick up until we see a little clarity as far as the Fed and the futures are concerned."

Stocks On The Move

ConcoPhillips' (COP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Earnings Exceed Expectations On Solid Revenue Growth (full story).

Bristol-Myers' (BMY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Q4 - Drugged (full story).

The McGraw-Hill (MHP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Companies Q4 Earnings Up Despite Lower Net Income (full story).

Ameritrade (AMTD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Q1 Adj. EPS Inline With Consensus; Closes Acquisition Of TD Waterhouse (full story).

Xerox (XRX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Q4 Earnings Up 18%; Revenues Hurt By Stronger Dollar; Announces $500 Mln. Buyback (full story).

Hershey (HSY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Q4 Profit Rises On Organic Sales Growth; Reaffirms FY06 Outlook (full story).

WellPoint (WLP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Q4 Profit Soars On Higher Sales, Membership Enrolments; Raises FY06 EPS Target (full story).

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