Halftime Report 9.13.2012

Oil and Gold are both up 6.00 and 0.68, to 1,778 and 98.99 respectively. Platinum futures are up 31.80 and are quickly catching gold. The EUR/USD exchange rate gained 1.13% up a penny and a half to 1.3136 euros per dollar.  Strangely, the US dollar is gaining value against the Japanese Yen, up about $0.77.

Analogic Corporation (ALOG + 13.67%) is a technology company that designs and manufactures advanced medical imaging and security systems. ALOG hit a new high today of 78.73, up about 9.50 points. Shares exploded today after its quarterly results and guidance topped expectations. Analysts expected a EPS of $0.71, a surprised of $0.25 per share as earnings were $0.96.

Bank of America (BAC | + 1.60%) had a second day of huge volume. The stock has been downgraded by at least 5 analysts, yet it continues to creep higher. 226.6 million shares were traded today already.

Google Inc. (GOOG| +$6.16) jumped up almost 6 points in the first half to 712.20. Google has been extremely volatile this week. On Wednesday it was down around 685.00 and gained almost 18.00 points yesterday.

Apple Inc. (AAPL | 1.99%) is up an astounding 13.61 points. Sitting at 696.56, AAPL has hit a new high, again. The iPhone 5 pre-orders were sold out within an hour this morning which may have drove all of the bears away from the stock, after some questioned the value of upgrading.

US economic news released today includes the CPI, retail sales, and industrial production. All reports are released on a monthly basis. Production is down 1.2% overall, with manufacturing losing 0.7%. Retail sales grew 0.9% beating last months 0.8% growth. Finally, CPI grew by 0.6%. Food and Energy prices accounted for 0.5% of this months change, however, year-over-year change in CPI were all energy and food at 1.7%.

Alex Kalish has a master’s degree in economics from Suffolk University.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome: alexk@keeneonthemarket.com.

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