US Stock Indexes Close Higher          07/18 15:34

   U.S. stocks reversed course from an early slump and closed higher Thursday 
to break a two-day losing streak after technology and bank stocks rallied.

   NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. stocks reversed course from an early slump and closed 
higher Thursday to break a two-day losing streak after technology and bank 
stocks rallied.

   Corporate earnings are in full swing and investors have been cautiously 
assessing results and company statements. The volatile market is still on track 
for a weekly loss despite the S&P 500 opening the week with a record high 
close. The pullback has barely dented the big gains made by every major index 
this year, including a 19.5% rise for the S&P 500 index.

   The latest batch of results are providing a better picture of the economy 
after months of ups and downs in the market because of policy concerns and 
lingering trade disputes.

   "We've been watching the game and now we actually get to see the scorecard," 
said Brad McMillan, chief investment officer for Commonwealth Financial Network.

   The results so far have reflected financial strength from banks as the 
broader economy holds up with solid job growth and consumer confidence.

   "The consumers are still making things happen out there and it's showing up 
in the earnings to a surprising degree," he said.

   The S&P 500 index rose 10.69 points, or 0.4%, to 2,995.11. The Dow Jones 
Industrial Average edged up 3.12 points to 27,222.97. It was down as much as 
151 points earlier. The Nasdaq composite rose 22.04 points, or 0.3%, to 
8,207.24.

   IBM rose 4.6% after reporting solid results. The company, along with Apple, 
helped lift the technology sector to lead the broader gains.

   Banks led financial stocks higher. BB&T rose 2.8% and SunTrust Banks rose 
2.7%. Both reported earnings that easily beat analysts' estimates.

   Medical equipment makers helped health care stocks reverse course after an 
early loss. Danaher rose 2.4% after reporting solid second quarter results. 
Abbott Laboratories and Thermo Fisher both rose 2.3%.

   Market indexes were down most of the day after Netflix plunged 10.3% in 
heavy trading and took other communications companies down with it. The 
streaming video service reported a slump in new subscribers that could mean 
trouble as it faces a new wave of competition from Disney and Apple.

   Communications stocks remained the day's biggest loser. Consumer-oriented 
and energy stocks also fell. Dollar Tree shed 1.9% and Apache lost 3.8%.

   Financial results remain a mixed bag for many companies. Only about 13% of 
S&P 500 companies have reported, according to FactSet, and analysts expect 
profits to fall 2.4% overall when every report is tallied.

   Union Pacific rose 5.9% after the railroad operator reported profit growth 
and beat Wall Street forecasts despite hauling less freight. The company cut 
expenses by 7% during the quarter as shipments fell amid ongoing trade 
disputes. On Wednesday, rival CSX cut its revenue forecast as it deals with a 
slowdown in shipments.

   Philip Morris International rose 8.2% after the cigarette maker raised its 
profit forecast for the year following a solid second quarter.

   Genuine Parts fell 4.5% after the maker of automotive parts reported weak 
second quarter financial results and trimmed its profit outlook. The company 
said it is experiencing weaker demand in Europe.

   Microsoft rose 1.6% after the close of regular trading. The technology 
company's second quarter profit, which it reported after the closing bell, beat 
Wall Street forecasts.

   Several other large companies are expected to report results Friday, 
including American Express and Schlumberger.

   Benchmark crude oil fell $1.48 to settle at $55.30 a barrel. Brent crude 
oil, the international standard, fell $1.73 to close at $61.93 a barrel. 
Wholesale gasoline fell 5 cents to $1.83 per gallon. Heating oil declined 3 
cents to $1.86 per gallon. Natural gas fell 1 cent to $2.29 per 1,000 cubic 
feet.

   Gold rose $4.80 to $1,426.10 per ounce, silver rose 23 cents to $16.12 per 
ounce and copper fell 1 cent to $2.70 per pound.

   The dollar fell to 107.52 Japanese yen from 108.10 yen on Wednesday. The 
euro strengthened to $1.1266 from $1.1223. 


(BE)