Market Watch 3/03/10

Stock Market Closing Prices – 3/03/10

Dow Jones Industrial Average ( DJIA ) Close – 10396.76 -9.22
Nasdaq Stock Market Close – 2280.68 -0.11
S&P 500 Close – 1118.79 +0.48

Commodities Closing Prices – 3/03/10

Gold Close – 1139.00 +2.10
Oil Close – 80.67 -0.20
Natural Gas – 4.75

Stocks ended mixed after the Fed's announcement that economic activity has improved in nine of its 12 districts but that the gains are "modest."

The market got an early boost Wednesday from a report that the services industries grew at the fastest rate in two years last month.

More corporate dealmaking also helped stocks, as occurred earlier in the week. In the latest deal, private equity firm Elliott Associates offered to buy the 91.5 percent of software maker Novell Inc. Novell jumped $1.33, or 28 percent, to $6.08.

Health care stocks fell after a drug being developed by Pfizer Inc. and Medivation Inc. for Alzheimer's disease failed in a late-stage trial. Pfizer fell 28 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $17.32. Medivation plunged $27.15, or 67.5 percent, to $13.10 .

Economic Calendar Data - 3/4/10

Initial Jobless Claims - Last Week - 8:30am EST

Retailers to report U.S. same-store sales for February. Before market open.
Urban Outfitters is set to release results for the quarter. Before market open.
Wendy’s/Arby’s is slated to announce quarterly results. Before market open.