The markets opened mixed with the Dow rising 7 points to 11,198 while Nasdaq lost 7 points to 2538 as durable goods orders slipped in August.
On the upside
Jabil Circuit (NYSE: JBL) impressed with fourth quarter earnings that nearly doubled to beat analyst expectations and forecast first quarter results ahead of estimates.
Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) reported very strong production results from test wells in the Utica shale.
Fourth quarter earnings rose for Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to top analyst expectations and the company forecast fiscal 2012 results above estimates.
On the downside
Analysts downgraded Imperial Holdings (NYSE: IFT) after federal agents raided the corporate office yesterday.
Shares of InterOil (NYSE: IOC) continued falling after the Papua New Guinea government said that the company’s liquefied natural gas project is not in compliance with approved plans.
Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) blamed Hurricane Irene and higher expenses for lower first quarter earnings.
In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 5 to 3 on the NYSE and by more than 2 to 1 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks dropped 7 points to 672.
