Stock Market & Financial Investment News

News Breaks April 29, 2012 18:16 EDT WFC, BAC, AAPL, IBM, HPQ, BRK.A, AA, GOOG Apple and Google are the leading candidates to enter the DJIA, Barron's reports The Dow Jones Industrial Average, or DJIA, hasn't adjusted its component companies since 2009 and is overdue for a makeover, Barron's reports. Since that time, Apple (AAPL) has emerged as the world's most valuable company, with a market value of $570B. Also not on the DJIA list is online advertising-and-search behemoth Google (GOOG). Both represent major shifts in the global business landscape in ways that current Dow components such as Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Bank of America (BAC) and Alcoa (AA) do not. Yet admitting Apple or Google -- or any other high-priced stock -- would be difficult, given the way the index is calculated based on the absolute price of their shares. With a price of around $605, Apple's shares would overwhelm the index with a 26% weighting. That is double the influence of current Dow component International Business Machines (IBM), whose $207 stock price gives it a 12% weight in the index. Given its big daily swings, Apple alone could move the Dow regularly by 100 points or more. As for Google, it is planning a stock split that would cut its share price in half, to about $300. But even at that level, it would have a hefty 15% weighting in the average. One solution would be to adjust the way the Dow is calculated. Other potential index additions include Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA) and Wells Fargo (WFC), which pose no problem under the current calculation system. Reference Link News For A From The Last 14 Days Check below for free stories on A the last two weeks. Sign up for a free trial to see the rest of the stories you've been missing. May 17, 2013 11:59 EDT A Options with decreasing implied volatility: ILMN LO A HES INFY CSCO May 16, 2013 11:33 EDT A Options with decreasing implied volatility: PANL CSC FTK A NVDA Subscribe for More Information May 15, 2013 11:42 EDT A High option volume stocks: WWAV VIPS SIAL AINV A May 14, 2013 16:26 EDT A Agilent CEO sees 2H13 macroeconomic environment "challenging" Subscribe for More Information 16:12 EDT A Agilent raises stock repurchase program to $1B Subscribe for More Information 16:11 EDT A Agilent announces restructuring program, will reduce headcount by about 450 Agilent announced that it has initiated a targeted restructuring program that is expected to reduce Agilent's total headcount by approximately 450 regular employees, representing approximately 2% of its global workforce. The timing and scope of workforce reductions will vary based on local legal requirements. When completed, the restructuring program is expected to result in an approximately $50M reduction in annual operating expenses. 16:09 EDT A Agilent sees FY13 adjusted EPS $2.70-$2.85, consensus $2.88 Subscribe for More Information 16:08 EDT A Agilent sees Q3 adjusted EPS 60c-64c, consensus 74c Subscribe for More Information 16:07 EDT A Agilent raises stock repurchase program to $1B Subscribe for More Information 16:07 EDT A Agilent reports Q2 adjusted EPS 77c, consensus 67c Reports Q2 revenue $1.73B, consensus $1.74B. 15:30 EDT A Notable companies reporting after market close Subscribe for More Information May 13, 2013 15:21 EDT A Agilent May volatility elevated flat into Q2 and outlook Agilent December May call option implied volatility is at 67, June is at 32, August is at 29; compared to its 26-week average of 28 according to Track Data, suggesting large near term price movement into the expected release of Q2 results on May 14. May 7, 2013 05:51 EDT A Agilent coverage assumed with a Buy at Jefferies Subscribe for More Information Sign up for a free trial to see the rest of the stories you've been missing.