The markets had small a positive day today as energy supported again. The Dow 30 gained 33 points (0.20%) while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 gained 9 (0.50%) and 25 (0.55%) respectively.Chipotle (CMG ) made headlines today as a Chipotle restaurant in Massachusetts was temporarily closed after four employees fell sick. The Boston Globe reported the workers were diagnosed with norovirus, citing health officials. Investors did not like the continued news of health issuse at the popular restaurant chain and sold the stock off 3.44%.
In the retail space, Express (EXPR ) reported that its fourth-quarter profit jumped 34%, boosted by a strong holiday shopping season. Express posted a 4% jump in same-store sales growth, beating its forecast of a 3% increase. Shares enjoyed a 3.10% pop today as it traded up to new yearly highs.
CBS Corporation (CBS ) Gained 2.10% today as Wells Fargo upgraded CBS from market perform to outperform and raised its valuation range to $58 to $60 per share from $48 to $50 per share. Analyst Marci Ryvicker cited strong ad trends as one of the reasons for the upgrade. Shares of the broadcast company made new yearly highs today.
Lastly, restaurant holding company Darden Restaurants (DRI ) made new 52 week highs today after it reported preliminary third-quarter results. Darden Restaurants expects adjusted net earnings per share of 1.18 to $1.21 and forecasts same-restaurant sales to rise approximately 6% for the fiscal quarter. Shares closed up 3.61%.
