Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS]
Real-time Equity news [U E] [RESF/US]
U.S. stock market report [.N]
1041 ET 24Aug2009-National activity index less weak in July
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U.S. economic activity improved again in July from extremely weak levels
earlier this year, suggesting the recession is waning, a report from the
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago showed on Monday.
Production-related indicators turned positive for the first time since
October 2008.
The Chicago Fed said its National Activity Index was minus 0.74 in July, up
from minus 1.82 in June and its highest level since January 2008. June's index
was originally reported at minus 1.80.
The index has been negative, indicating below-trend growth, since June
2007.
For details, see [ID:nLO627617]
Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1038 ET 24Aug2009 Applied Materials call options grab interest
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Option traders appear to positioning for extended gains in Applied
Materials Inc (AMAT.O) within the next two months.
Shares of the world's largest producer of chip-making gear rose 11 cents to
$13.85. In the options patch, traders are showing interest in the Oct $14
calls, said WhatsTrading.com option strategist Frederic Ruffy. The strike was
home to 11,000 contracts with 94 percent hitting ask-side, exceeding existing
positions held by investors of 5,361. ISEE sentiment data on the International
Securities Exchange is consistent with opening customer call buyers, he said.
The stock's average implied volatility was 37 percent, up from about 35.5
percent on Friday. In all, about 13,000 calls traded in the name against only
602 puts, according to Trade Alert. Directional sentiment based on order flow
was 87 percent bullish.
Reuters Messaging: doris.frankel.reuters.com@reuters.net
1032 ET 24Aug2009-Ripplewood distributes RSC stake, shares fall
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RSC Holdings Inc (RRR.N) shares slid 5.6 percent to $8.30 on Monday after
the company said a private equity firm had distributed about three-quarters of
its stake to limited partners.
The equipment rental provider said Ripplewood Holdings LLC, which holds
about 34 percent of outstanding common stock through two funds, had distributed
about 26.6 million shares to limited partners and will retain ownership of
about 8.2 million shares.
Along with the share distribution, Ripplewood's four representative's on
RSC Holdings board of directors resigned.
Reuters Messaging:rm://Charles.mikolajczak.reuters.com@reuters.net
1026 ET 24Aug2009-Crude oil sets 10-month high on recovery hopes
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Oil rallied to set a 10-month high toward $75 a barrel on Monday, supported
by optimism that an economic recovery will spur a rebound in global energy
demand.
For details, see [ID:nSYD146874]
September crude futures were up 0.8 percent to $74.47 per barrel on
Monday.
Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
1016 ET 24Aug2009-Valero catalytic cracker unit restarted, shares rise
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Valero Energy Corp (VLO.N) said on Monday it restarted a
70,000-barrel-per-day fluid catalytic cracker unit at its Memphis, Tennessee,
refinery over the weekend following repairs to fix a leak.
On Aug. 6, Valero said it shut the gasoline-making FCC unit at the
180,000-bpd Memphis plant in order to repair a leak in the flue gas cooler.
For details, see [ID:nN24135572]
Shares gained 2.6 percent to $18.97.
Reuters Messaging: ryan.vlastelica.reuters.com@reuters.net
