STOCKS NEWS US-Verizon expects to beat wireless margin target

Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS] Real-time Equity news [U E] [RESF/US]
U.S. stock market report [.N]
1057 ET 19May2009-Verizon expects to beat wireless margin target
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John Killian, the chief financial officer of Verizon Communications Inc
(VZ.N), on Tuesday said the company expects to beat its wireless quarterly
profit margin target of 43 percent to 45 percent.

He didn't establish a new margin target, but noted that Verizon Wireless
was able to beat the target in the last few quarter even before an expected $1
billion in savings from its recent purchase of Alltel.

For details, see [ID:nN19413863]

Shares of Verizon rose 0.4 percent to $29.81 while AT&T Inc (T.N) rose 0.6
percent to $24.74. Both companies are Dow components.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1047 ET 19May2009-Markets turn positive on banks, energy
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Major U.S. indexes turned positive on Tuesday, rising on gains in energy
and bank stocks, which overshadowed data showing that housing starts
unexpectedly slid to record lows in April.

For details, see [ID:nN19413488]

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI rose 0.2 percent to 8,522.48 while
the S&P 500 .SPX gained 0.4 percent to 913.27 and the Nasdaq .IXIC was up
0.2 percent to 1,736.60.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1037 ET 19May2009-Solarfun results lift solar companies
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Shares of solar companies largely rose on Tuesday, after Solarfun Power
(SOLF.O) reported a first-quarter loss that was narrower than expected. It also
said that its chief executive officer had resigned.

For details, see [ID:nBNG235271].

Shares of Solarfun rose 9.5 percent to $5.55 while Yingli Green Energy
(YGE.N) added 7.5 percent to $9.48, Canadian Solar (CSIQ.O) was up 5.2 percent
to $8.55 and Suntech Power (STP.N) gained 3.6 percent to $15.65.

Shares of JA Solar (JASO.O) dropped 2.5 percent to $3.16. Earlier, the
company reported a first-quarter loss and said it would fall short of its 2009
revenue outlook. [ID:nLJ500449]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1032 ET 19May2009-Firm: data suggests no bottom in housing market
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DA Davidson on Tuesday wrote that the 12.8 percent drop in April housing
starts compared with the prior month "continues to suggest that the bottom in
housing still hasn't been reached."

"Although the credit picture is improving and the job loss rate appears to
be showing signs of slowing, housing remains the weak link in the economic
picture," the firm wrote. "We continue to believe that an economic recovery
probably won't begin until the fourth quarter at the earliest."

DA Davidson added that though it remained bullish on stocks, it expected
periods of volatility and profit-taking.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1017 ET 19May2009-Vix below 30 for first time since Sept
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The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility index .VIX, also known as
Wall Street's "fear gauge," fell below 30 for the first time in eight months,
extending a pullback from the bear market lows of early March. The drop marks a
psychological milestone for investors looking for signs of sustainability in
the recent rally. [ID:nN19417474]

Reuters Messaging:rm://Charles.mikolajczak.reuters.com@reuters.net
1002 ET 19May2009-Saks rises after Q1 results, peers fall
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Shares of Saks Inc (SKS.N) rallied on Tuesday, after the luxury retailer
reported an adjusted first-quarter loss that was much narrower than expected.

It also raised its target for cost cuts, as it continues to expect that
sales would continue to fall. [ID:nN19369603]

The stock gained 21 percent to $4.94. Among its peers, Tiffany & Co (TIF.N)
slid 1.1 percent to $26.25 while luxury online retailer Blue Nile Inc (NILE.O)
was down 2.5 percent $43.20.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net