Joffrey Ballet’s Fabrice Calmels

Born and raised in France, Fabrice Calmels began ballet training at age 3, following in the steps of his younger sister. In 1991, Mr. Calmels entered the Paris Opera School, under the direction of Claude Bessy. Through his training he worked with world-renowned dance masters such as Serge Golovine, Gilbert Mayer, Max Bozzoni, John Neumier, Jirí Kylián, Violette Verdy, and also performed at the beautiful Opera Palais Garnier theatre.

In 1998, Mr. Calmels was spotted by John Meehan, director of American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company, and moved to New York. He furthered his training by joining The Rock School, and danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet. At Boston Ballet, under the direction of Anna-Marie Holmes, he learned the Russian technique with ballet masters Tatiana Terekhova and Sergei Berezhnoi, and also the Balanchine style at The School of American Ballet.

Fabrice Calmels

Mr. Calmels joined The Joffrey Ballet in 2002. Since joining the Joffrey, Mr. Calmels has performed in Age of Innocence, Apollo, Carousel a Dance, The Clowns, I/DNA, In the Middle…Somewhat Elevated, In the Night, Italian Suite, Light Rain, Les Noces, The Nutcracker, N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz!, Le Sacre du Printemps, “…smile with my heart,” Suite Saint Saëns, Valentine, Midsummers Night Dream, Apollo, Othello and After the Rain.

Fabrice has danced several times for television, featured on Chicago’s WGN TV. He also dances with ABT principal Veronica Part in guest performances. He’s also expanded into acting, performing the role of Nijinsky in the new theatre piece “MISIA” by writer Barry Singer, performed at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival. In 2008, Mr. Calmels collaborated with world-famous musician Jean-Felix Lalanne, and his choreography was performed at his Autour de la Guitarre in Paris.

Fabrice Calmels

Mr. Calmels enjoys choreographing, modeling and working on “ILYS,” his new business.

Click here to visit Fabrice Calmels Official Fan Page

 

Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I got accepted! I am the happiest guy on Earth right now!

Just thought I’d let any of my readers know! I need the public’s support now more than ever!

Goal: $5000 (this accumulates to the cost of attending one intensive)
Due: May 2013

If 100 people would donate $50 my goal would be successful (but any amount of donation is appreciated)

I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU
Also at my Facebook

Thank You for your time!

Sincerely,

Ruben

The U.S. dollar index rose 0.08% today, now at 79.939. The GSCI commodity index is up 0.5% at 664.07, with commodities prices mixed today. WTI crude oil closed down 1.5% today, at $95.23 a barrel. Brent crude trades up 0.4% at $110.61 a barrel. Natural gas is flat today at about $3.56 per million BTUs. Gold settled down 0.4% today at $1,686.70 an ounce.

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up nearly 67 points to 13,779.10 (0.49%), the NASDAQ rose nearly 11 points (0.33%) to 3,153.67, and the S&P 500 rose 0.15% or about 2 points to 1,494.78.

There were a several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) raised to ‘market perform’ at Bernstein; General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) reiterated as ‘buy’ with a price target of $25 at Argus; Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) raised to ‘buy’ with a price target of $50 at Canaccord Genuity; Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) cut to ‘hold’ and price target raised to $15 at Deutsche Bank; and Incyte Corp. (NASDAQ: INCY) cut to ‘underweight’ at Morgan Stanley.

Earnings reports since markets closed last Friday resulted in several price moves today, including these: Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) is up 11.4% at $2.73 (more coverage here); CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) is up 4.2% at $21.68 (more coverage here); Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is up 5.9% at $744.27 (more coverage here); International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM) is up 4.8% at $205.57 (more coverage here); International Game Technology Inc. (NYSE: IGT) is down 1.8% at $14.94; Texas Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: TXN) is down 0.9% at $33.15; Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is down 0.3% at $32.80; Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI) is up 0.9% at $45.23 (more coverage here); Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH) is down 16.3% at $50.80 (more coverage here); General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD) is up 0.8% at $71.28; McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD) is up 0.5% at $93.44 (more coverage here); and U.S. Airways Group Inc. (NYSE: LCC) is up 1.7% at $15.10 after posting a new 52-week high of $15.64 earlier today (more coverage here).

After markets close today and before they open tomorrow morning we are scheduled to hear from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Amgen Corp. (NASDAQ: AMGN), Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK), F5 Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV), Noble Corp. (NYSE: NE), NVR Inc. (NYSE: NVR), Western Digital Corp. (NYSE: WDC), 3M Corp. (NYSE: MMM), Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY), Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT), Raytheon Inc. (NYSE: RYN), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV), Union Pacific Corp. (NYSE: UNP), United Continental Holdings Inc. (NYSE: UAL), and Xerox Corp. (NYSE: XRX).

Some standouts from today include the following stocks:

MAP Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: MAPP) is up 58.7% today at $24.73 after posting a new 52-week high of $24.77 earlier. The developmental drug maker is being acquired by Allergan Inc. (NYSE: AGN) for about $958 million, or $25 a share.

Numerex Corp. (NASDAQ: NMRX) is down 14.3% at $11.67. The machine-to-machine technology firm priced a secondary offering at a 17% discount to last night’s closing price.

Molycorp Inc. (NYSE: MCP) is down 11.4% at $7.82. The rare earths miner issued an earnings warning this morning and proposed to raise a total of $300 million by selling stock and issuing debt. More coverage here.

Stay tuned for Thursday. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

• 8:30 a.m. – New claims for unemployment benefits
• 8:58 a.m. – Flash PMI manufacturing index
• 10:00 a.m. – Leading indicators
• 10:30 a.m. – EIA weekly natural gas storage report
• 11:00 a.m. – EIA weekly petroleum status report
• 11:00 a.m. – Kansas City Fed manufacturing index
• 1:00 p.m. – 10-year Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) auction
• 4:30 p.m. – Fed balance sheet and money supply

Not sure if anyone actually reads these, but I thought it was time to update my blog…Since Christmas I have: taken ballet at several different studios, performed with Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, and attended two major auditions for summer intensives (LINES & Hubbard St.)

I guess you can that these auditions were a wake up call!  Note to self: More audition skills needed! I was so nervous I forgot all of my ballet at both of the auditions (basically, I had two left feet), but there is no need for excuses, I know I will do better next time for sure.  Unfortunately, I was not accepted into the LINES summer program, and I am waiting on the Hubbard Street results.

I have just started school again today, and I am very eager to continue my training.  I believe I will be attending a few more auditions, even if its just for the experience.  I know I have more to offer, if I am given the opportunity.  Positive thinking from now on, and tons more ballet and modern!

Enjoy a sample of my work: Tree of Life by Ruben Medina. My dance begins at 0:25:25!

Also me performing in other works: Schlemeil by Marco Carreon (@ 0:01:30) , and Silences We Bear by Chanada Turner (@ 1:13:38).

Goal: $5000 (this accumulates to the cost of attending one intensive)
Due: May 2013

If 100 people would donate $50 my goal would be successful (but any amount of donation is appreciated)

I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU
Also at my Facebook

Thank You for your time!

Sincerely,

Ruben

The U.S. dollar index fell 0.21% today, now at 79.869. The GSCI commodity index is up 0.4% at 660.83, with commodities prices mostly higher today. WTI crude oil closed up 0.7% today, at $96.24 a barrel to close the February contract. Brent crude trades up 0.6% at $112.42 a barrel. Natural gas is down 0.2% today at about $3.56 per million BTUs. Gold settled up 0.4% today at $1,693.20 an ounce. Platinum closed higher than gold today, at $1,698.50 an ounce (more coverage here).

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up more than 61 points to 13,710.83 (0.45%), the NASDAQ rose more than 8 points (0.27%) to 3,143.18, and the S&P 500 rose 0.44% or more than 6 points to 1,492.49.

There were a several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) started as ‘outperform’ with a target price of $114 at Credit Suisse; Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB) reiterated as ‘buy’ and target price raised to $90 at Argus; Dish Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH) started as ‘outperform’ with a target price of $43 at Credit Suisse; ARM Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: ARMH) cut to ‘hold’ at Benchmark; and LinkedIn Corp. (NYSE: LNKD) started as ‘neutral’ at Sterne Agee.

Earnings reports since markets closed last Friday resulted in several price moves today, including these: Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) is up 3.25% at $14.09 after posting a new 52-week high of $14.15 earlier (more coverage here); Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) is up 5.2% at $35.39 (more coverage here); Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is up 0.8% at $72.61; Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) is up 4.5% at $91.57 after posting a new 52-week high of 92.05 earlier; Regions Financial Corp. (NYSE: RF) is up 4.2% at $7.74 after posting a new 52-week high of $7.81 earlier; and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) is up 0.8% at $42.87 (more coverage here).

After markets close today and before they open tomorrow morning we are scheduled to hear from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD), CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX), Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM), International Game Technology Inc. (NYSE: IGT), Texas Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ: TXN), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT), Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE: BHI), Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH), General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD), McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE: MCD), and U.S. Airways Group Inc. (NYSE: LCC).

Some standouts from today include the following stocks:

Research in Motion Ltd (NASDAQ: RIMM) is up 11.7% today at $17.70 after posting a new 52-week high of $17.75 earlier. The smartphone maker’s CEO has said again that the company could either sell its hardware division or start licensing its new operating system after next week’s launch of the BlackBerry 10. Move coverage here.

Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) is up 27.4% at $13.05. The silicon wafer maker has gotten a boost on new commitments from the Chinese government on solar panel installations. LDK Solar Co. Ltd. (NYSE: LDK) also got a boost today on a new financing deal. More coverage here.

Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA) is down 10.6% at $8.73. The drug company is getting hit following a request from the European regulator for more info on the company’s weight-loss drug. More coverage here.

Stay tuned for Wednesday. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

• 7:00 a.m. – Mortgage Bankers Association purchase applications
• 9:00 a.m. – Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) house price index
• 11:30 a.m. – 4-week Treasury bill auctions

The inside of St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery, the home of Danspace Project.

1. Look at Small or Unconventional Venues
A surefire way to keep ticket costs down is getting away from Lincoln Center and seeing dance at small or unconventional venues, where full-price admission is almost invariably lower. (Keep in mind, however, that the performances in such spaces tend to be more contemporary in nature.) Smaller theaters in the city that present high-quality work at low prices include the Joyce Theater, The Kitchen, New York Live Arts, BAM’s new Fisher Space, Danspace Project, Performance Space 122, La MaMa, The Chocolate Factory, and the Abrons Arts Center. If you’re willing to take a short train ride outside the city, Peak Performances at Montclair State University is also worth looking into. Some of these theaters also offer subscription packages that make ticket prices even more affordable.

2. Research Student Rush Programs
Several theaters and dance companies offer steeply discounted tickets to students, so if you’re in high school, college, or a graduate degree program, look into rush programs online before purchasing tickets. Here are a few of the best programs:

• Four years ago, when I first became interested in dance, New York City Ballet’s student rush program was a godsend. The company has raised the price slightly since then, from $12 to $20, but theirs remains the best rush program in town, allowing full-time high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to purchase tickets to select fall, winter, and spring repertory performances. Tickets are sold at the David Koch Theater box office on the day of the performance, and students can buy a second ticket for a friend or family member of any age. (Read more about NYCB’s student rush program.)
• American Ballet Theatre has traditionally offered student rush tickets, priced between $15 and $25, for their annual seasons at the Metropolitan Opera House and New York City Center, pending availability. Student rush tickets are available to elementary, high school, and college students who are age 25 and under. (Student rush details haven’t been announced for the 2013 season, but keep an eye on ABT’s website for more information about upcoming seasons.)
• BAM offers $10 rush tickets for live performances to students age 29 and under (and seniors 65 and over). Those interested should visit the BAM box office no earlier than 90 minutes before the performance to inquire. Two tickets are allowed per purchase. (Read more about BAM’s student rush program.)

Moiseyev Dance Company in “Tatarochka,” which the company performed at Fall for Dance 2012. Photograph by E.Masalkov.

3. See Everything at Fall for Dance
There’s no better crash course in the field than Fall for Dance at New York City Center, a lively annual festival that presents several very mixed bills. (Last year’s iteration included performances by American Ballet Theatre, Russian folk troupe, the Martha Graham Dance Company, and a hula ensemble.) Tickets in all seating areas cost just $15, but they sell very quickly. Mark your calendar once the 2013 dates are announced and be sure to join the online queue early on the first day of sales. (Read more about Fall for Dance.)

4. Join American Ballet Theatre’s 18/29 Club
All balletomanes under 30 should join ABT’s 18/29 Club, which provides subscriptions to the company’s spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House for $30 per ticket (minimum of three performances). Certain performances — primarily those starring visiting foreign dancers — are blacked out, but there are ample opportunities to see great performers in great productions. Another perk: Orchestra seating is guaranteed. (Read more about the 18/29 Club.)

The Zucker Box Office

5. Visit the Zucker Box Office
For relatively inexpensive same-day tickets to Lincoln Center performances, pay a visit to the Zucker Box Office inside the David Rubenstein Atrium (61 West 62nd Street). Admission is sold at discounts between 25 and 50 percent. (New York City Ballet tickets are offered more often than not, but I’ve never seen American Ballet Theatre listed.) The box office, which opens daily at noon, also sends regular alerts to its mailing list about special ticket offers. (Read more about the Zucker Box Office.)

6. Buy a Theater Development Fund Membership
Students, teachers, recent graduates, nonprofit or civil service employees, performing arts professionals, or members of the armed forces who love the arts should buy a Theater Development Fund membership now. For only $30 a year, TDF provides access through its website to discounted advance tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway theater, classical music, and dance performances, generally for under $40; buy tickets to one or two performances and the membership pays for itself. TDF has helped me to see Paul Taylor Dance Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Ballet, and a number of companies at BAM and the Joyce Theater. TDF also operates the popular TKTS booths (in Times Square, downtown Brooklyn, and at the South Street Seaport), which discounted sell same-day tickets. (Read more about TDF.)

7. Join Twitter
Open a Twitter account and follow other dance fans, who sometimes are willing to give away extra tickets or sell them at low prices. Three years ago, before I even began writing about dance, Benjamin Millepied offered me his New York City Ballet house seats after I tweeted about my plans to see his new ballet.

Do you have other tips on seeing dance on a dime? Share them by commenting.

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• Grand Pas Classique, performed by Ana Sophia Scheller (NYC Ballet) and Joseph Phillip (ABT).
• Apollo, performed by Lauren Menger, Vilia Putruis and Mindaugas Bauzys.
• Sleeping Beauty, performed by Miki Hamanaka and Aurimas Paulauskas (Lithuanian National Ballet).

Photo by Gene Schiavone

But the other day, when I was in the MOST pain, I got a DM on twitter…from my favorite tweeter…(Like, who tha fuck has one of those?) and while I responded in a joking manner, I really wish he knew how happy he made me for a few minutes. He didn’t holla. Didn’t say anything he would have said in my wildest dreams. Just gave a kind word and kept it moving. I dunno. I appreciated it is all. Cause even though he doesn’t know what I have on my plate, his words couldn’t have come at a better time. My smile’s a caterpillar crawlin’ across my face just thinking about it. The way I felt when I read the message is what reminded me I’d be better than “okay” sooner than I thought.

Now I’m full blown cheesin’. Nothin’ to see here, folks.

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Buy today, you might have a low price, you should check the price before you buy.
Of course, everybody wants to have their been then you should check-sized price is at the bottom.

We would note that this list does not have the same amount of turnover as some of the other buy and sell lists. As you will see on the full list, some picks have been on the list since 2010 and one has been on the list since 2009. BofA screens these for a debt-to-equity ratio, return on equity, and the dividend yield.

If you look at the image below you will see that the average yield is 2.8% on this group and that is above the 2.1% S&P 500 Index average yield. Be advised that the yields that firm ranks here are different from traditional screens that show the current yields. The full list is below in a snapshot from the RIC report but these are the five highest yielding stocks of the 18 in this portfolio:

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX) leads the list with a 4.1% yield. This went on the list on April 1, 2012 and shares are hardly changed since the addition.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is on the list with a yield of 3.2%. The oil giant has been on the list since December 2010 and is up about 30% since being added.

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is on this list with a 3.2% dividend yield as well. The golden arches may have pulled back, but shares are still up handily since the brokerage firm has had McDonald’s on this list since February of 2009.

Abbott Labs (NYSE: ABT) is next with a yield of 3.1% and a low debt to equity of 0.6. This has been on the BofA/Merrill Lynch list since October of 2010 and shares are up about 25% since then.

The list shows a tie for the fifth spot with a 3% dividend yield between Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT). Emerson was only recently added at the start of this year but Microsoft has been on the list since August of 2011. Our own calculation shows that Microsoft yields 3.47% and Emerson yields 3.03%. That gives Microsoft the top spot.

Here are the rest of the positions from the US High Quality & Dividend Yield Screen selections for investors:

• отношение стоимости стреддла к среднестатистическим ценовым движениям, происходящим на рынке в течение месяца. То есть, если двух-трех-месячный стреддл – «дешевле» чем движение цены за один месяц, это уже потенциально интересная для входа бумага.
• значение Impied Volatility, то есть “дешевизна” опционной комбинации в относительных величинах
• корпоративные новости, выходящие во время жизни комбинации
• текущее положение цены относительно важнейших уровней покупателей/продавцов

Appearance: Rich chestnut-brown with a lingering head

Aroma: Clean, clove yeastiness.

Taste: Raisin, spicy ginger with a slight alcohol finish

Classic of the style but a little too spicy for my taste. – HG

8.5/10

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) tests a new iPhone and iOS 7. (Reuters)

A court rejects an Apple suit against Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) about its app store. (Reuters)

Avis Budget Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR) to buy ZipCar Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIP). (Reuters)

Bonds based on commercial mortgages may present high future risks. (WSJ)

Al-Jazeera buys Current TV. (WSJ)

The Energy Information Administration reports that electricity use will slow sharply in the decades ahead. (WSJ)

The FTC may set a deal with Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) over an antitrust investigation. (WSJ)

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) buys R2 Studios to help Xbox enter homes in a move beyond gaming consoles. (WSJ)

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) spins out drug maker AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV). (WSJ)

Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) puts most of its troubles from the past three years behind it as it rises to be the world’s number one car company again. (NYT)

Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) says its lending to businesses will be more aggressive. (FT)

Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) will open stores in Vietnam. (FT)

Land prices in Beijing rise sharply despite government efforts to keep them lower. (FT)

Gold reaches a two-week high on stimulus news. (Bloomberg)

Douglas A. McIntyre

The holidays are a time to spend with those we love, and miss those we are not with at the moment. I am very lucky to have the people in my life that I do. I have begun to set myself on a dance and personal growth journey. I want to become a better person.

I bought the book Deep Yoga to help me. my first lesson: the art of breathing. breathe in, breathe out. My affirmation: I will be successful. There are people out there who don’t want to see others succeed, but that is just fine, we will overcome. I know there are more people who believe in me than not, and for a reason.

I will spend the rest of my holiday break breathing, relaxing, and
jumping into as many puddles as I can.
I love life.

Goal: $5000 (this accumulates to the cost of attending one intensive)
Due: May 2013

–>;;;;;;;;;If 100 people would donate $50 my goal would be successful (but any amount of donation is appreciated)

I can be reached at RMEDINA49@TOROMAIL.CSUDH.EDU
Also at my Facebook

Thank You for your time!

Sincerely,

Ruben

Add the United Kingdom to the long line of countries that have gotten into more economic trouble that expected. The Office for National Statistics cut its figure for third-quarter GDP growth to 0.9%, in place of the 1% previously posted. That puts the nation on the cusp of a recession, like so many others in the region. Many there already have fallen into a period of “negative growth.” The Office for National Statistics reports:

• UK gross domestic product (GDP) in volume terms increased by 0.9 per cent between the second and third quarter of 2012, revised from the previously estimated increase of 1.0 per cent.
• Output of the production industries rose by 0.7 per cent revised down from the previously estimated 0.9 per cent increase. Manufacturing output rose by 0.7 per cent, revised down from the previously estimated increase of 0.9 per cent.
• Output of the service industries rose by 1.2 per cent, revised down from the previously estimated increase of 1.3 per cent.
• Output of the construction industry fell by 2.5 per cent, revised up from the previously estimated 2.6 per cent fall.
• Household final consumption expenditure increased by 0.4 per cent in volume terms in the latest quarter, revised down from the previously estimated increase of 0.6 per cent.
• In current price terms, compensation of employees rose by 0.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2012, revised down from the previously estimated increase of 1.4 per cent.
• The households’ saving ratio was 7.7 per cent in 2012 quarter three, up from 7.4 per cent in the previous quarter.

Facebook Message Fees

Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) has scrounged up another way that might make it money. So far, Wall St. has been disappointed about the revenue Facebook has managed to derive from its one billion users. The new scheme will allow the social network to collect $1 each for certain messages sent by members. A revolt over the move is likely, because Facebook users revolt over almost everything the company does to their experience. Facebook management writes:

Today we’re starting a small experiment to test the usefulness of economic signals to determine relevance. This test will give a small number of people the option to pay to have a message routed to the Inbox rather than the Other folder of a recipient that they are not connected with.

Several commentators and researchers have noted that imposing a financial cost on the sender may be the most effective way to discourage unwanted messages and facilitate delivery of messages that are relevant and useful.

Dell Dropped from S&P 100

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) has been kicked out of the S&P 100. The PC company has struggled to remain relevant, and successful, for years. Perhaps Standard & Poor’s finally has acknowledged that Dell does not have much of a future. According to S&P:

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBVwi) will replace Dell Inc. (NASD:DELL) in the S&P 100, and Federated Investors Inc. (NYSE:FII) in the S&P 500. Federated will replace ITT Educational Services Inc. (NYSE:ESI) in the S&P MidCap 400, and ITT Educational Services will replace NCI Inc. (NASD:NCIT) in the S&P SmallCap 600. S&P 100 and 500 constituent Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is spinning off AbbVie in a transaction expected to be completed after the close of trading on December 31. The Abbott Laboratories stub will remain in the S&P 100 and 500. Dell has a market capitalization below $18.5 billion and is no longer representative of the mega-cap market space. Federated Investors’ market capitalization is below $2.2 billion, making it more representative of the mid-cap market space, and ITT Educational Services’ market capitalization is below $450 million making it more representative of the small-cap market space. NCI Corp.is ranked #600 in the S&P SmallCap 600.

Douglas A. McIntyre

The U.S. dollar index fell today, now down 0.02% at 79.249. The GSCI commodity index is up 0.7% at 644.73, with commodities prices mostly lower again today. WTI crude oil closed up fractionally today, at $90.01 a barrel. Brent crude trades down 0.2% at $110.17 a barrel. Natural gas is up 3.8% today at about $3.45 per thousand cubic feet following the EIA report on gas storage inventories (more coverage here). Gold settled down 1.3% today at $1,645.90 an ounce.

The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up nearly 60 points to 13,311.72 (0.45%), the NASDAQ rose about 6 points (0.20%) to 3,050.39, and the S&P 500 rose 0.55% or nearly 8 points to 1,442.69.

There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) raised to ‘buy’ at Deutsche Bank; BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK) started as ‘overweight’ at J.P. Morgan; Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) started as ‘outperform’ at William Blair; Boston Beer Co. (NYSE: SAM) started as ‘neutral’ at Citigroup; and LinnCo (NASDAQ: LNCO) started as ‘outperform’ at Wells Fargo.

Earnings reports since markets closed last night have resulted in the following price change as of the last half hour of trading today: Bed, Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) is down 6.8% at $56.19 after posting a new 52-week low of $54.33 earlier today; Jabil Circuit Inc. (NYSE: JBL) is up 8.1% at $20.07; Paychex Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX) is down 2% at $32.38; Carmax Inc. (NYSE: KMX) is up 8.9% at $37.94 after posting a new 52-week high of $38.24 earlier today; Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL) is down 5.3% at $36.98; ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is up 0.6% at $30.13 after posting a new 52-week high of $30.86 earlier today (more coverage here); Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is down 3.8% at $38.26 (more coverage here); KB Home (NYSE: KBH) is down 6.9% at $15.52 (more coverage here); Rite Aid Corp. (NYSE: RAD) is up 19.7% at $1.25; and Scholastic Corp. (NASDAQ: SCHL) is down 1.5% at $28.85.

After markets close today and before they open on Monday morning we are scheduled to hear from Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE), Red Hat Inc. (NYSE: RHT), Research in Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ: RIMM), and Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG).

Some standouts from today include the following stocks:

NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX) is up 33.8% at $32.19 after posting a new 52-week high of $33.38 earlier today. The owner of the NYSE is being acquired by Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (NYSE: ICE). More coverage here.

Eloqua Inc. (NASDAQ: ELOQ) is up 31.6% at $23.58. The business application software firm is being acquired by Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) for $871 million.

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: MDRX) is down 14.3% at $9.15. The medical records software firm fired its CEO and terminated its search for a buyer.

Winnebago Industries Inc. (NYSE: WGO) is up 14.5% at $16.12 after posting a new 52-week high of $16.42 earlier today. The recreational vehicle maker beat profit and revenue estimates handily this morning.

Stay tuned for Friday. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):

• 8:30 a.m. – Durable goods orders
• 8:30 a.m. – Personal income and spending
• 8:30 a.m. – Chicago Fed national activity index
• 9:55 a.m. – University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters consumer sentiment
• 11:00 a.m. – Kansas City Fed manufacturing index

Paul Ausick