STOCKS NEWS US-Jobless claims rose 15,000 in latest week

Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS]

Real-time Equity news [U][E] [RESF/US]

For U.S. stock market report double-click [.N]
0850 ET 25June2009-Jobless claims rose 15,000 in latest week
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits
unexpectedly rose last week and the number staying on the rolls after
collecting an initial week of aid also edged higher, government data on
Thursday showed.

Initial claims for state unemployment insurance increased by 15,000 to a
greater-than-expected seasonally adjusted 627,000 from a revised 612,000 the
week before, the Labor Department said. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast
claims to drop to 600,000 from a previously reported 608,000.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0840 ET 25June2009-GDP contracts less in Q1, demand still soft
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The U.S. economy shrank slightly less in early 2009 than previously
thought, the government reported on Thursday, though there was widespread
weakness in activity and demand was soft.

Gross domestic product, which measures total output within U.S. borders,
dropped at a 5.5 percent annual rate in the first quarter after shrinking 6.3
percent in the fourth quarter of last year and 0.5 percent in the third
quarter.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0826 ET 25June2009-GFT sees a higher open for U.S. markets
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GFT on Thursday forecast a higher open for U.S. markets, though it added
there "are no particular reasons for today's firmer tone."

"We could be heading for a sideways trading pattern as the summer proceeds,
with a trading range of around 5 percent," it added. "However, the
second-quarter corporate earnings season isn't far off and that could be the
catalyst for a breakout."

The firm expects the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI to open up 66
points while the S&P 500 .SPX opens up 8.5 points.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0817 ET 25June2009-Goldman adjusts ratings on oil and gas stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goldman Sachs on Thursday adjusted its ratings on several energy stocks,
writing that it was shifting its preference toward oil-leveraged stocks and
away from gas-leveraged ones.

Halliburton Co (HAL.N), Nabors Industries (NBR.N), Patterson-UTI Energy
(PTEN.O) and Oil States International (OIS.N) were all downgraded by Goldman,
which wrote that it doesn't expect high beta stocks with gas leverage to
outperform.

"While we continue to believe that the turn in fundamentals is in sight and
that we are in the midst of the next up-cycle, we are less positive on 'gassy'
North American levered stocks given that we see reduced upside potential for
2010," it wrote.

As part of its move to oil-leveraged stocks, Goldman upgraded Cameron
International (CAM.N), Transocean Ltd (RIG.N), and Diamond Offshore (DO.N).

For details, see [ID:nBNG447254]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0811 ET 25June2009-Crude oil up on conflict in Nigeria
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August crude futures rose on Thursday, after Nigeria's main militant group
shut down one of Royal Dutch Shell's (RDSa.L) pipeline junction points,
heightening concerns about supplies from the region.

For details, see [ID:nSP191786]

The contract CLc1 gained 1.1 percent to $69.43 per barrel.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
0805 ET 25June2009-Hertz outlook lifts Avis in premarket
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shares of Hertz Global (HTZ.N) rallied in premarket trading on Thursday,
after the car rental company forecast quarterly profit above market estimates,
as well as a surprise full-year profit.

The company also said it saw no significant long-term financial impact from
General Motors GMGMQ.PK and Chrysler bankruptcies.

For details, see [ID:nBNG382203]

Shares of Hertz rose 12.4 percent to $7.88 in premarket trading while peer
company Avis Budget (CAR.N) added 5.4 percent to $4.69 on light volume.

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