After Market: Another Super Tuesday for Stocks

Filed under: Earnings, Market News, Stock Markets, Investing

There's been very little that investors could be certain about so far this year, except for this: Tuesday's are usually winners. While the market has bounced back and forth, the S&P 500 has posted gains on 14 of the 16 Tuesdays this year. The index is up about 9 percent on Tuesdays, and down about 9 percent on all of the other days.

This Tuesday was no exception: The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) rose 86 points, the Standard & Poor's 500 index (^GPSC) added 9, and the Nasdaq composite (^IXIC) gained 29 points.

The focus today was on earnings, but that could switch on Wednesday to the economy, when the Federal Reserve wraps up its two-day policy meeting and we get a look a first-quarter GDP.

Let's start with the earnings winners:

Merck (MRK) gained 3½ percent as it beat expectations. It's been one of the Dow's best performing stocks over the past six months, up 28 percent.

BP (BP) rose 2½ percent even though its net fell, but it did boost its dividend. Sprint (S) jumped 11 percent. Its loss narrowed from a year ago.

Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) poured on the hot sauce, gaining 5 percent, after raising its outlook. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) rose 3 percent as it plans to raise menu prices. And Twitter (TWTR) rose 4½ percent ahead of its results.

Of course, there were some earnings disappointments too.

Goodyear Tire (GT) fell 7½ percent after coming in short of expectations. Coach (COH) tumbled 9 percent after the maker of bags and accessories posted weak sales. And the 3D printing firm 3D Systems (DDD) fell 9 percent on disappointing earnings guidance for the year.

Elsewhere, GoGo (GOGO) went - straight down. The provider of in-flight internet service tumbled 28 percent on word that AT&T will enter the business next year. GoGo shares have lost more than a third of their value in past three months.

But the biotech firm Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD) jumped 21 percent on positive test results for its treatment of a disease that allows fat to build up in human cells.

Internet and social network stocks rebounded. Facebook (FB) gained 3½ percent and Google (GOOG) added 2 percent.

What to Watch Wednesday:

Payroll processor ADP releases its survey of private-sector hiring for April.
The Commerce Department reports first-quarter gross domestic product, and the Labor Department releases its first-quarter employment cost index, both at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.
Federal Reserve policymakers conclude their two-day meeting to set interest rates at 2 p.m.

These major companies are scheduled to release quarterly financial results: