STOCKS NEWS US-Market gains over 2 pct on confidence data, Apple

Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS] Real-time Equity news [U E] [RESF/US]

U.S. stock market report [.N]
1634 ET 26May2009 US STOCKS-Market gains over 2 pct on confidence data, Apple
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U.S. stocks climbed more than 2 percent on Tuesday as data showing the
biggest monthly jump in consumer confidence in six years lifted hopes of an
economic rebound, and a brokerage upgrade of Apple Inc drove sharp gains on the
Nasdaq.

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Reuters Messaging rm://caroline.valetkevitch.reuters.com@reuters.net
1414 ET 26May2009-Credit Suisse upgrades Occidental, Noble
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Credit Suisse on Tuesday upgraded both Occidental Petroleum (OXY.N) and
Noble Energy Inc (NBL.N), saying it was more positive on oil-focused
exploration and production companies compared to natural gas-focused ones.

"Large cap oil in particular looks like good value, having lagged gas peers
significantly despite the strength in the oil curve and falling gas prices,"
Credit Suisse wrote.

As part of its call, the firm also downgraded both EOG Resources (EOG.N)
and Ultra Petroleum (UPL.N).

"Gas equities look quite vulnerable to us currently, having already
discounted a 2010 recovery," it wrote.

For details, see [ID:nBNG502186]

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1406 ET 26May2009-Markets rally after consumer confidence data
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Major U.S. indexes rallied on Tuesday, lifted after the release of data
that showed a sharp rise in consumer confidence. Tech stocks also rose after a
broker upgrade of Apple Inc (AAPL.O).

For details, see [ID:nN26498754]

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI rose 2.6 percent to 8,490.78 while
the S&P 500 .SPX gained 2.8 percent to 911.59 and the Nasdaq .IXIC was up
3.5 percent to 1,751.19.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1357 ET 26May2009-StanCorp rises after FBR upgrade
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Shares of StanCorp Financial Group (SFG.N) soared on Tuesday, after the
company was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Friedman Billings
Ramsey, which said the insurer had enough of a capital cushion to absorb
remaining credit losses.

StanCorp's very small amount of delinquencies and ability to work out
mortgages with borrowers make it a relative outperformer when applying loss
assumptions, the brokerage wrote to clients.

The stock gained 10.3 percent to $31.48.

As part of its call, FBR also upgraded Principal Financial (PFG.N) to
outperform, also citing a capital cushion. [ID:nBNG356965]

Shares of Principal rose 1.2 percent to $20.83.

Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1344 ET 26May2009-Option players seem to be bullish on Seagate
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Some investors appear to be bullish on Seagate Technology (STX.O),
expecting the stock to move above $9 before September expiration as put sellers
dominate the action. Its shares rose 2.96 percent to $8.69 in afternoon trade.
About 20,000 puts traded in Seagate vs 3,147 calls, double the normal combined
daily turnover, according to Trade Alert. Most of the focus is in July and
September at-the-money $8 and $9 puts and appears to be driven by premium
sellers. Earlier in the session, the majority of that activity hit bid-side,
said WhatsTrading.com option strategist Frederic Ruffy. ISEE data also indicate
that sellers, not buyers, have dominated the action. The stock's option implied
volatility is off a few points and fell to multi-month lows of 59 percent.
Earnings are expected in mid-July, Ruffy said.

Reuters Messaging: doris.frankel.reuters.com@reuters.net