Banks Lead S&P to 1,400 — Thursday’s IP Market Cap

by Kyle Woodley | March 15, 2012 5:00 pm

InvestorPlace Market Recap[1]While not a rip-roaring day for the markets, the S&P 500 cleared yet another landmark — 1,400, just days after beating technical resistance at 1,375[2] — with financials and a number of other stocks leading the way.

A number of bank stocks were headed higher, continuing to ride the momentum of Tuesday’s Fed “stress test” results. JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM[3]), which was among several financial stocks increasing dividends this week[4], gained 2.5%. BB&T (NYSE:BBT[5]) and Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC[6]), which also boosted their payouts, were up a respective 2.6% and 2.1%. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC[7]), which passed the stress test but declined to increase its dividend, gained 4.5%.

Also up big today was Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL[8]), publisher of the hit book series The Hunger Games, which also will hit movie screens on the back of Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE:LGF[9]). Scholastic trimmed losses in the most recent quarter by about 90% to $3.2 million, while revenues of $467 million were up 22%. The company also raised its full-year earnings forecast to $2.60 to $2.90 per share from its earlier projections for $1.75 to $2.10 per share. SCHL finished the day up almost 13%.

The markets went crazy over yet another cloud IPO — this time Demandware (NYSE:DWRE[10]), a player that facilitates e-commerce. Demandware surged more than 50% throughout the day[11] from its $16 issuing price, and finished the day at $23.85.

Three Up

Three Down

Kyle Woodley[18] is the assistant editor of InvestorPlace.com[19]. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. Check out recaps from previous trading days here[20].

Endnotes:

  1. [Image]: https://investorplace.com/hot-topics/investorplace-market-recap/
  2. beating technical resistance at 1,375: https://investorplace.com/2012/03/another-pivotal-level-felled-by-the-mighty-bull/
  3. JPM: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=JPM
  4. financial stocks increasing dividends this week: https://investorplace.com/2012/03/financials-pump-up-payouts-after-stress-test/
  5. BBT: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=BBT
  6. WFC: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=WFC
  7. BAC: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=BAC
  8. SCHL: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=SCHL
  9. LGF: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=LGF
  10. DWRE: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=DWRE
  11. Demandware surged more than 50% throughout the day: https://investorplace.com/ipo-playbook/demandware-ipo-surges-over-50/
  12. WGO: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=WGO
  13. FRO: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=FRO
  14. INVN: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=INVN
  15. GES: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=GES
  16. MCP: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=MCP
  17. FIO: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=FIO
  18. Kyle Woodley: https://investorplace.com/author/kyle-woodley/
  19. InvestorPlace.com: https://investorplace.com/
  20. here: https://investorplace.com/hot-topics/investorplace-market-recap/

Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2012/03/banks-lead-sp-to-1400-thursdays-ip-market-cap/