The markets were slightly lower today as earnings from General Electric (NYSE: GE), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and others weighed on prices. The Dow 30 was lower by 31, the S&P 500 lost only a fraction of a point, and the Nasdaq 100 was lower by 2. As earnings season gets into it's peak, investors will likely continue to focus on individual names. By Wednesday, however it will be back to the Federal Reserve as they will make their rate decision then.
Ebay (NASDAQ: EBAY) shares were lower today despite the company announcing their earnings which met analysts' estimates. Investors chose to take some profits off the table after the online auction site gave a weaker than expected outlook for the current quarter as it "struggles to grow its business amid competition from Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN)." Despite today's decline shares are just off their highs and still above water by a healthy 23%.
Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) was one of the big winners today as news came out that the company would be expanding its existing partnership with Walmart (NYSE: WMT). The company will provide the retailer with hydrogen fuel stations to power its warehousing and delivery trucks at 30 additional Walmart stores over the next 3 years. Plug Power's existing deal has them currently operating at 22 Walmart stores. Today's move puts Plug Power at the 100% gain mark for the year.
Visa (NYSE: V) shares hit new highs today as the credit card payment company reported that they would raise their profit outlook for the year. This comes after an impressive earnings announcement that beat expectations. Revenue came in higher by about 26% from a year ago as "more shoppers used its network to make payments." Shares are higher on the year by about 26%.